Bill Overview
Title: TPS Reform Act of 2022
Description: This bill changes the procedures for designating a country with temporary protected status (TPS). (Qualified nationals of a TPS-designated country shall have work authorization and may not be removed from the United States while the status is in effect.) Specifically, the bill requires an act of Congress to designate a TPS country, whereas currently the Department of Homeland Security has such authority. The initial act of designating a TPS country must include a time period for the designation of up to 18 months and also contain certain information, including an estimate of the number of individuals who would benefit from the status. Congress may also pass an act to terminate or extend a designation. The bill also establishes that an alien who lacks lawful immigration status may not receive the benefits of temporary protected status.
Sponsors: Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5]
Target Audience
Population: Nationals from TPS-designated countries
Estimated Size: 0
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation for nationals from countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe to return to, such as armed conflict or environmental disasters. Thus, people from these countries who are in the U.S. will be most directly impacted.
- Current TPS beneficiaries are likely to be impacted if the country designations change. This includes individuals currently residing in the U.S. under TPS who may lose this protection if Congress does not affirm their continued status.
- Those who would seek TPS under existing procedures may face new barriers, as the designation process becomes more politicized with Congressional involvement.
- There are approximately 320,000 individuals from designated TPS countries currently in the U.S., according to recent estimates before the enactment of this bill.
- Globally, nationals from countries that might have sought TPS in the U.S. will also be affected as new designations will become less frequent and potentially harder to achieve.
Reasoning
- The policy impacts primarily nationals from TPS-designated countries who are currently residing in the U.S. under temporary protected status. These individuals face uncertainty due to the shift from executive to legislative control of TPS designations, potentially affecting their ability to remain and work in the U.S.
- Budget constraints and the estimated 320,000 individuals directly affected by TPS status alterations mean that the policy could provide varying degrees of wellbeing changes, from high impact among those losing TPS to no impact for typical U.S. citizens.
- While U.S. citizens are not directly affected by changes to TPS, communities with large TPS populations might experience secondary effects. Businesses employing TPS holders and local economies could face disruption if TPS holders lose their status and work authorization, affecting community wellbeing.
- We selected individuals from various demographics, including those from TPS-designated countries, immigration advocates, businesses in regions with high TPS worker populations, and unrelated citizens for a mix of directly and indirectly affected perspectives.
Simulated Interviews
Restaurant Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that Congress might not act quickly enough to renew or extend TPS for El Salvador.
- Losing TPS would mean losing my job and the ability to support my family here and back home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Immigration Lawyer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Shifting TPS designation to Congress will politicize humanitarian protection.
- It's likely to lead to fewer countries being designated for TPS, impacting many clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If my employees lose TPS, I'll need to find new staff, which is challenging in this market.
- I hope Congress understands the economic impact on businesses like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Software Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected, but I think the policy will make a tough process even harder for those needing TPS.
- I worry about the increased politicization of immigration policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Graduate Student (New York, NY)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could severely limit the U.S.'s ability to respond to humanitarian crises quickly.
- I'm concerned for the individuals who have built lives here under TPS.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With Congress now deciding on TPS, I'm scared my newly gained stability is at risk.
- I hoped TPS would eventually lead to a more permanent status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Retired Policeman (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the TPS holders as valuable members of our community.
- Policies that threaten their contributions concern me for community safety and cohesion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Public School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these complicate the futures of many students whose families rely on TPS.
- Education quality and student stability might suffer if families are affected by TPS changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Tech Startup Founder (Austin, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a stable immigration policy is crucial for our hiring plans.
- This policy change adds uncertainty and could deter talent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Healthcare Worker (Boston, MA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Friends of mine with TPS are anxious about their futures.
- It's tougher to work effectively when patients and co-workers are stressed by these policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $53000000)
Year 5: $34000000 (Low: $23000000, High: $56000000)
Year 10: $37000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $61000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $80000000)
Key Considerations
- Immigration policy changes often have complex social and economic repercussions beyond immediate fiscal costs and savings.
- The political nature of Congressional TPS designations could introduce unpredictability in both frequency and scope of TPS implementations.
- Current TPS holders and applicants are deeply embedded in and contribute to various communities and economic sectors in the U.S.