Bill Overview
Title: Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation Act of 2022
Description: This bill statutorily establishes that current and former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shall be considered to have engaged in terrorist activity for immigration purposes. The bill also (1) limits the authority of the Department of State to issue waivers to allow members of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations to enter the United States, and (2) gives Congress the authority to block the revocation of a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation.
Sponsors: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Target Audience
Population: Current and former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill specifically targets current and former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is a major branch of Iran's Armed Forces. The IRGC has tens of thousands of members, therefore the global target population includes individuals globally who have been associated with the IRGC.
- The bill impacts immigration, particularly affecting those who are members or former members of the IRGC seeking entry to the United States.
- The bill also impacts individuals who might be linked to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) seeking entry to the U.S. and potentially subjects them to stricter scrutiny and reduced chances of entry.
Reasoning
- The Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation Act of 2022 is a niche, high-impact policy affecting a specific subset of the population, mainly members of the IRGC and potentially those indirectly associated with them or similar entities.
- The population of current and former IRGC members globally is large, but the target population within the U.S or seeking U.S. entry is significantly smaller, likely in the thousands.
- Given the budgetary constraints, the policy must prioritize high-security cases, focusing resources on essential immigration barriers and security measures.
- The American public primarily experiences indirect consequences from such policies, such as changes in international relations or local community demographics.
- Impact on U.S. citizens can vary based on proximity or relation to directly affected individuals (e.g., family members) and could influence personal and professional domains like diplomacy, immigration law, and international cooperation.
Simulated Interviews
Immigration Lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the national security concern but fear it might contribute to racial profiling.
- It makes my job more complex and challenging due to the bureaucratic hurdles it introduces for my clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Family Member of Former IRGC Member (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy makes it harder for my family to visit or join me in the U.S.
- I respect the need for security but this feels overly broad and punishing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
University Professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy limits academic collaboration and exchange with peers from the Middle East.
- It might lead to a chilling effect on research and discourse on sensitive topics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
NGO Worker in Refugee Aid (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy places additional strain on humanitarian efforts.
- This could delay resettlements and negatively affect the safety of vulnerable populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
Government Employee (Security Analyst) (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a necessary action to tighten security measures.
- It adds more bureaucracy but strengthens our national security posture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Iranian Community Leader (Detroit, MI)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy stigmatizes our community and creates fear.
- It's becoming more difficult to bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy complicates international business operations.
- However, innovation can adapt and circumvent these challenges with technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Diplomat and Peace Negotiator (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It adds layers of complexity to peace negotiations.
- We must ensure policies don’t hinder diplomatic progress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Heightened security measures are a double-edged sword, offering protection at the cost of privacy.
- Tech can provide solutions but must be balanced with ethical considerations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Graduate Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy curtails opportunities for international scholarly exchanges.
- I worry about the long-term impacts on global cooperation and justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The device of the bill is mainly to strengthen the stance on national security but it could be seen as politically sensitive, potentially affecting international relations.
- The financial impact, while not profoundly substantial, does require incremental budgetary adjustments in related departments for effective carrying out.
- Potential challenges in the sociopolitical landscape may emerge from a perception of discrimination or increased scrutiny on specific demographic groups.