Bill Overview
Title: Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act
Description: This bill directs the President to report annually to Congress on fugitives and other individuals with respect to whom the United States is seeking extradition from other countries. The report shall contain information on the number of such individuals, U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure their return, and the factors that have prevented the resolution of outstanding cases.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Target Audience
Population: Fugitives the U.S. is seeking to extradite
Estimated Size: 300
- This bill affects diplomatic and legal processes related to individuals who are fugitives from the U.S. and are currently in other countries.
- The primary target population includes individuals identified as fugitives whom the U.S. seeks to extradite.
- This group may include various types of fugitives, such as those involved in serious criminal activities and less severe legal or civil offenses.
- The actual number of fugitives can be difficult to estimate accurately due to changes in legal statuses and the resolution of cases.
Reasoning
- The primary group of individuals impacted by this policy are fugitives whom the U.S. is seeking to extradite from other countries.
- The policy primarily affects a small, specific population, mainly U.S. fugitives abroad and indirectly through the diplomatic and legal processes involving their extradition.
- Fugitives with various backgrounds will have differing levels of impact based on the nature of their crimes and their current living circumstances abroad.
- Non-directly involved U.S. citizens may be concerned with efficiency, justice, and taxpayer money spent on this policy.
- The policy's budget constraints limit the number of cases that can be actively pursued each year, impacting the rate at which extraditions can be processed.
Simulated Interviews
Engineer (Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about my safety if the policy leads to increased efforts in finding and extraditing someone like me.
- Living under constant fear of extradition affects my daily life and mental health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 3 |
Artist (Italy)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as I'm abroad, I feel somewhat secure from extradition, but increased diplomatic efforts are concerning.
- The policy seems to target people like me directly, and it could alter my life here significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 3 |
Retired (United States)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy brings my family member back to resolve his issues.
- I think extradition is important for justice, though it's hard personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Software Developer (Canada)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy prioritizes cases, I might be extradited sooner due to its focus on hackers and cybercrime.
- It's a stressful thought that impacts my current work and life arrangements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Teacher (Argentina)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy sounds like it might prioritize severe crimes, but I'm concerned about being caught in the net.
- It would change my life drastically if suddenly pushed back to the U.S.
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 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Entrepreneur (Brazil)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the U.S. seriously ramps up efforts to get people like me, it could mean the end of my business abroad.
- I prefer to sort out my problems, but not at the expense of my freedom.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 4 |
Attorney (United States)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy sounds like it can streamline extradition processes, yet poses a risk of overlooking human rights issues.
- I worry it might be used too aggressively against minor offenders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired (United Kingdom)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm too old to face new extradition processes, even if I think of returning voluntarily.
- This may unfairly disrupt late life arrangements of many like me.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Digital Nomad (Thailand)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt they would spend resources for minor cases like mine, but it's a worry.
- Hopefully, this policy won’t escalate such situations.
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 |
Journalist (United States)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill seems like a strong step for ensuring justice, but needs checks for fair implementation.
- Concerned about potential political influences on case priorities.
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 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $2500000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3500000)
Year 3: $2600000 (Low: $1600000, High: $3600000)
Year 5: $2700000 (Low: $1700000, High: $3700000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- Establishing a reporting mechanism requires inter-agency coordination, which may entail additional costs.
- No direct cost savings or revenue generation is associated with the act, indicating a focus mainly on legal and procedural improvements rather than financial impacts.
- The policy could indirectly influence public trust and safety, but such effects are not immediately quantifiable.