Bill Overview
Title: Build the Wall Now Act
Description: This bill addresses issues related to the construction of a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, such as (1) requiring the Department of Homeland Security to resume any project related to the construction of such a barrier (and any related infrastructure); and (2) exempting such construction projects from various legal requirements, including requirements stemming from the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.
Sponsors: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Target Audience
Population: People living near the US-Mexico border and migrants
Estimated Size: 7000000
- The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to resume construction of the border wall, directly impacting those involved in its construction and operations.
- Residents near the US-Mexico border may be affected by the construction due to environmental and logistical changes.
- Migrants intending to cross the border may be impacted due to increased physical barriers and potential changes in migration patterns.
- Local communities on both sides of the border might experience economic and social impacts due to changes in migration and trade patterns.
Reasoning
- We considered a diverse pool of 10 million people living near the US-Mexico border, among them residents, migrants, and workers in construction and related fields who might be impacted by the policy.
- The budget constraints suggest that the policy implementation would prioritise areas of higher migrant activity or existing infrastructure rather than a comprehensive barrier across the entire border immediately.
- Due to budget limitations, only certain sectors such as construction and security might see significant changes initially, while environmental and local community impacts might occur over a more extended period.
- To reflect a range of opinions, the interviews include individuals from different age groups, occupations, and backgrounds, both directly and indirectly impacted by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Construction Worker (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy passes, it secures more jobs for me and my colleagues.
- I am worried about the environmental impact and what it means for local wildlife.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Border Patrol Agent (San Diego, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will increase our workload substantially, which may mean longer hours.
- Although it's more work, it could mean more job security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (McAllen, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned that bypassing environmental regulations can cause long-term harm to our region's ecosystem.
- I'm involved in activist groups that might face more challenges if this policy is enacted.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired (El Paso, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't believe this construction is good for community relations.
- We have more pressing issues than a wall, like community health and cohesion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Nogales, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about how the construction will deter customers from Mexico.
- The family will have a harder time visiting if the crossing becomes more difficult.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy directly opposes the work I am doing to support migrants seeking asylum.
- We need more humanitarian responses, not more barriers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There will likely be more checkpoints, slowing down delivery schedules.
- Security might be tighter, but could lead to more delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Immigration Lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The construction of the wall means more hurdles in legal processes for migrants.
- My clients would face greater difficulties, and this complicates my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Las Cruces, NM)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could create irreversible damage to our delicate desert ecosystems.
- Exempting such projects from environmental protection laws is reckless.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Teacher (Laredo, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With more separation, children from mixed-status families will experience heightened anxiety and insecurity.
- The relations between our students and the broader community might suffer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 2: $3000000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 3: $3000000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 5: $3000000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The project circumvents several environmental and regulatory laws, which could lead to legal challenges or delays.
- Public opposition or support may fluctuate, affecting related political and social dynamics.
- Financial estimates assume a moderate pace of construction, which could fluctuate based on funding and political will.