Bill Overview
Title: Border Enforcement Security Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For example, if DHS establishes a BEST unit with a port security nexus, the unit must have at least (1) one member from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and (2) one member from the geographically responsible Coast Guard Sector Intelligence Office.
Sponsors: Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with or affected by the Border Enforcement Security Task Force operations
Estimated Size: 500000
- The Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) program is a collaborative law enforcement initiative that brings together federal, state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies to combat transnational crime.
- The primary focus of the BEST program is to address issues related to border security, which can affect all individuals and businesses operating within and around U.S. borders.
- Therefore, this legislation will predominantly impact individuals involved in law enforcement and border security operations, including personnel from multiple agencies such as DHS, Coast Guard, and other associated law enforcement entities.
- Communities near U.S. borders might experience indirect impacts due to potential changes in law enforcement practices and resource allocation.
- Local economies, especially those relying on cross-border trade and logistics, could be influenced by the efficacy of border security measures.
- The overarching security and operational efficiency at ports of entry might have a broader economic impact beyond just individuals working within the DHS or coast guard.
Reasoning
- The BEST program reauthorization is expected to have a direct impact on individuals involved in law enforcement, particularly those within DHS and Coast Guard. Their job roles might see more collaboration but also added responsibilities.
- Indirect impacts will be seen by those living near the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders, affecting perceived safety and the local economy which relies on cross-border trade.
- Those not connected to border security or living away from borders may see no change, reflecting the indirect effect of the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (El Paso, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy will provide more resources for securing the border.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Coast Guard Intelligence Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More integrated operations can improve our efficiency, but we need adequate training and support.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might slow down trade if inspections increase.
- However, improved security could be beneficial for trade in the long run.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Customs and Border Protection Officer (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Collaboration with international agencies is crucial and this reinforces that need.
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 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Nogales, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Security improvements are welcome, but I rarely see direct changes due to policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Logistics Coordinator (Laredo, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A streamlined border security process would help us immensely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Coast Guard Investigative Service Agent (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to improve cross-agency operations to tackle smuggling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could open more job opportunities in border 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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Congressional Staffer (Washington, DC)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing the policy implemented will hopefully improve inter-agency cohesion.
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 | 7 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efforts like these could either improve or harm community trust depending on their implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Year 2: $51000000 (Low: $46000000, High: $56000000)
Year 3: $52020000 (Low: $46500000, High: $57000000)
Year 5: $54121800 (Low: $48000000, High: $59000000)
Year 10: $59737800 (Low: $53000000, High: $65000000)
Year 100: $145000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $160000000)
Key Considerations
- The integration of Coast Guard personnel into certain BEST units comes with potential logistical and resource allocation challenges that need careful planning.
- While costs may increase initially, potential savings through enhanced interagency collaboration are significant.
- The broader economic benefits from reduced crime and improved security should be considered in a long-term analysis of the program.