Bill Overview
Title: Terrorist Reporting Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to periodically report to Congress information about any non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who (1) were apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol after unlawfully crossing the border, and (2) appear in the terrorist screening database maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center.
Sponsors: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Target Audience
Population: Non-U.S. nationals unlawfully crossing the U.S. border on the terrorist database
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill targets the Department of Homeland Security's procedures regarding non-U.S. nationals.
- It involves individuals who were apprehended for unlawful border crossing.
- It specifically targets those who appear on the terrorist screening database.
- The outcome affects how often Congress is informed about such individuals, potentially impacting immigration and security policies.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts non-U.S. nationals who are illegally crossing the border and are marked on a terrorist database.
- Given the relatively small number of such individuals, direct impacts on the broader population might be limited.
- U.S. citizens likely view this policy from the standpoint of national security, which may affect their sense of safety or perceptions of immigration.
- There's a strong understanding that this bill impacts how information is processed and reported rather than directly changing immigration enforcement laws.
- The financial costs associated with the policy are focused on administrative and reporting procedures at DHS.
- The overall effect on U.S. residents' wellbeing is indirect, mostly as a function of perceived national security rather than direct personal impact.
Simulated Interviews
Border Security Officer (El Paso, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes my job more streamlined since the criteria for reporting is clearer.
- I'm concerned about potential administrative load but reassured by the allocated budget.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Civil Rights Advocate (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear such policies can lead to increased surveillance disproportionately affecting Hispanic communities.
- The focus needs to be on the human aspect beyond just security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Graduate Student in International Relations (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might offer good data for academic research but could heighten political tensions.
- More transparency with Congress is positive, but the stigma can affect communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Congressional Staffer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will help keep Congress well-informed, necessary for making informed decisions.
- We need to balance data reporting with civil liberties concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems important for maintaining national security.
- I hope it targets the right group and doesn't expand unnecessarily.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this always have a creep risk, leading to mass data collection.
- We should be wary of how much power is granted without checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Organizer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned this might lead to more fear among communities we work with.
- We need policies that emphasize humane approaches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Austin, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for security, but I worry about the ripple effects on communities and our workforce.
- This could affect trust in local law enforcement.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired Lawyer (Miami, FL)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having worked on immigration law, I see the need for clear reporting mechanisms.
- This policy should not be used to unfairly target individuals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds like a smart strategy to enhance border security.
- I hope it doesn't lead to increased tension with communities who feel targeted.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $6500000)
Year 3: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $6500000)
Year 5: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $6500000)
Year 10: $4200000 (Low: $3200000, High: $6200000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The Department of Homeland Security's capacity and readiness to implement the reporting requirements efficiently and accurately.
- The potential need for technological enhancements or restructuring to handle the ongoing reporting process.
- The legislative and security implications of increased transparency and accountability in reporting apprehensions and individuals listed in the terrorist database.