Bill Overview
Title: Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act
Description: This bill exempts Special Immigrant Juveniles visas from certain annual numerical limitations on such visas. (Generally, Special Immigrant Juvenile status is available to qualifying non-U.S. nationals under 21 years of age who are in the United States and have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent.)
Sponsors: Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]
Target Audience
Population: Special Immigrant Juvenile visa applicants
Estimated Size: 0
- Special Immigrant Juvenile status is available to qualifying non-U.S. nationals under 21 years of age.
- These are individuals who are in the United States and have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent.
- Special Immigrant Juvenile visas face annual numerical limitations, and this bill seeks to exempt them from these limitations.
- According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, thousands of Special Immigrant Juvenile status applications are filed annually.
Reasoning
- The target population directly affected by the policy is relatively small compared to the overall US population, as it focuses specifically on non-U.S. nationals under 21 who have experienced parental abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
- Budgetary constraints suggest the program can only support a limited number of beneficiaries annually, considering cost per application processing and administrative expenses.
- The program will not directly impact the wellbeing of typical U.S. citizens since they are not eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile status, though there may be indirect societal benefits.
- Some community members may not notice any change, while immigrant advocacy groups and directly affected individuals will likely view the policy change positively.
- We will include a mix of directly impacted individuals, those indirectly affected through community or professional means, and those unaffected.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will allow me to feel more secure about my future here in the U.S.
- With a better visa situation, I might be able to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about immigration issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Construction Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could change my entire life path if it allows my status to be processed faster.
- I want to work without fear of being deported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Immigration Attorney (Houston, TX)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is crucial. Too many of my clients face years of uncertainty.
- Reducing the numerical limitations can alleviate immense stress for many families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't be directly affected, but I hope this policy can provide a sense of stability for some of my students.
- Any policy aiding vulnerable youth is a step forward.
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 | 4 |
Social Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful that this policy will help reduce some barriers that these kids face.
- The security this could provide is immeasurable, though there's more work to do.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this is a positive policy that aligns with respect to human rights.
- While it doesn't affect me personally, I'm excited for its potential impacts on the community.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am pleased to see this policy discussed, as I've seen firsthand the hurdles these youths face.
- My wellbeing wouldn't be directly affected, but seeing policy progress is heartening.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Activist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a necessary step, though there are broader immigration issues still pending.
- I'm encouraged by this focus on a vulnerable group.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy helps me get my visa faster, it would change everything.
- I want to be able to plan my future without worrying about being forced to leave.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I support the policy, I don't see a direct impact on my life.
- However, supporting vulnerable immigrant youth is essential to community resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $77000000)
Year 3: $60500000 (Low: $36300000, High: $84700000)
Year 5: $66550000 (Low: $39830000, High: $93170000)
Year 10: $73205000 (Low: $43813000, High: $102487000)
Year 100: $138307050 (Low: $82819730, High: $193794370)
Key Considerations
- Demand for public services such as education, healthcare, and welfare may rise, increasing costs.
- Long-term economic and cultural integrations vary across geographic regions.
- Support and infrastructure for integrating Special Immigrant Juveniles into communities and institutions.
- Societal and political factors that may influence the rate and manner of integration.