Bill Overview
Title: The Spc. Bishop E. Evans Border Security Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to prohibit, with certain exceptions, individuals from entering the United States through a coastal or land port of entry or a Border Patrol station near a U.S. land border. This prohibition shall not apply to a (1) U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, (2) member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the spouse and children of a member, or (3) person from a foreign country with valid travel documents arriving at a designated port of entry. This prohibition shall be in place until February 1, 2025.
Sponsors: Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]
Target Audience
Population: Migrants and refugees attempting to enter the U.S. through non-designated ports of entry
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill targets individuals attempting to enter the United States through coastal or land ports or Border Patrol stations near land borders.
- Exceptions include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, and individuals from foreign countries with valid travel documents arriving at designated ports.
- The population primarily impacted includes migrants and refugees who do not meet these exceptions and attempt to cross the border through unofficial points.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints will primarily affect the scale of enforcement and support services for legal crossings.
- The policy heavily impacts individuals attempting to cross through non-designated ports, which include many migrants and asylum seekers.
- Legal travelers and citizens are not negatively impacted; their wellbeing scores should not decrease because of the policy.
- Indirect effects will occur in border communities where families may be split or migration services pressured.
- Organizations assisting migrants may also face operational challenges—affecting their staff's wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Truck driver (El Paso, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about potential delays in cross-border logistics due to tighter security.
- The policy might affect my routes and workloads, impacting how often I am home with family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Nonprofit manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will increase the uncertainty for those we help, making our work harder.
- We may see more families desperate for assistance as crossing becomes tougher.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Border Patrol Agent (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced security ensures that we have more control over irregular crossings.
- My workload might increase, contributing to stress though the policy aligns with my professional goals.
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 |
Elementary school teacher (San Diego, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm deeply concerned about how stricter policies might impact my students' families and their mental health.
- Students already facing trauma may see worsening conditions, affecting their education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Shop owner (McAllen, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will likely reduce the number of families visiting my store, affecting my business.
- I hope this is only temporary, as our economy relies on these communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Immigration lawyer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy complicates my clients' cases and increases legal challenges.
- While it adds stress, the work feels even more critical, which is rewarding.
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 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
High school student (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm scared my parents might not be able to move freely or visit relatives across the border.
- The policy makes our situation feel more insecure and uncertain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Retired (Detriot, MI)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe stronger border controls are necessary for national security, though this does not affect me personally.
- I hope this policy is implemented smoothly without humanitarian issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Software engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't foresee this impacting my work or life directly.
- I think policies should ensure border security but not harm communities or crucial workforces.
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 |
Freelance journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may increase risk and hardship for the migrants I report on.
- It complicates the narrative on human rights issues and puts more lives in jeopardy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy may require substantial coordination with border states and affected communities to ensure effective enforcement and minimal disruption to legal crossings.
- Potential humanitarian concerns and international relations impact, particularly with countries from which migrants originate.
- Possible judicial challenges and legal costs associated with implementing the restrictions and defending them in court.