Bill Overview
Title: REFORM Act of 2022
Description: This bill imposes additional requirements pertaining to a foreign country that refuses to accept (or unreasonably delays in accepting) its citizens, nationals, subjects, or residents who are subject to a final order of removal from the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals subject to a final order of removal from the U.S.
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill targets foreign countries that refuse to accept their citizens who have been ordered to be removed from the U.S.
- Individuals affected are those who have been issued a final order of removal.
- Such individuals are often immigrants who have violated legal terms of stay in the U.S. or whose applications for residence have been denied.
- Countries refusing to accept back their citizens as per U.S. requests will be impacted in their diplomatic relations with the U.S.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy consists of individuals who are subject to a final order of removal from the U.S. This group primarily includes foreign nationals who are in the U.S. unlawfully or whose applications for residency have been denied.
- The budget constraint suggests that the initial impact in the first year will be limited, with $20,000,000 USD available to start enforcing the policy. Over 10 years, the budget increases to $229,500,000 USD, potentially expanding its reach.
- It is important to include individuals not directly impacted by removal but who may have indirect effects, such as those involved in policy advocacy or local communities concerned about economic and social impacts.
- Some people will not feel a change in wellbeing even if the policy affects them indirectly due to other factors that play more significant roles in their life satisfaction.
- The policy can impact the diplomatic relations and cooperation on international issues beyond the direct scope of individual wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Driver (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy makes me worried because my country does not always accept people back quickly, and I've been here for many years trying to make a living.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Student (Houston, Texas)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry that if my situation changes and I cannot stay, this policy will make it harder to return home smoothly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Immigration Lawyer (New York, New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy complicates my work and makes my clients more anxious about their futures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If I lose my case, I fear I will be caught in a bureaucratic nightmare with this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Restaurant Owner (Miami, Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for policy but worry about how it might affect our immigrant community overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Human Rights Activist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could bring more stress to already vulnerable populations and prevent fair process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired Laborer (San Antonio, Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy can help manage immigration better, but it should also respect people's rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Austin, Texas)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could affect U.S. relations with countries like mine, and I'm anxious about potential tensions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Tech Professional (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy does not directly impact me, but it's essential that processes are efficient and humane.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will be fair and transparent, balancing security and compassion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $21000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $26000000)
Year 3: $22000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $27000000)
Year 5: $23000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $28000000)
Year 10: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 100: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Key Considerations
- The diplomatic implications of compelling foreign countries to accept their nationals could affect U.S. foreign relations.
- Domestic legal implications and potential challenges to detentions and deportations may impact implementation costs.
- The need for increased administrative measures could result in significant government operational costs.