Bill Overview
Title: ACE Act
Description: This bill modifies the actions that the Department of State must take with regards to a foreign country that refuses to accept a citizen or national of that country who is subject to a final order of removal from the United States. Currently, the State Department must discontinue granting immigration visas, nonimmigrant visas, or both, to citizens or nationals of that country until the country has accepted the individual subject to removal. Under this bill, the State Department must discontinue granting both types of visas until the country accepts the individual.
Sponsors: Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Target Audience
Population: Foreign nationals under final order of removal
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill affects individuals subject to a final order of removal from the United States.
- These individuals are typically non-citizens residing in the U.S. who have been ordered to leave.
- It also impacts foreign countries whose citizens are subject to this order, as they must accept these individuals back.
- Entities affected include U.S. diplomatic and immigration officials, who must enforce these visa restrictions.
- Families of deported individuals may experience disruptions.
- Previously, the State Department could choose between discontinuing different types of visas; now both are discontinued, potentially increasing the pressure on foreign governments.
- The legislation indirectly impacts U.S. citizens related to these foreign nationals.
Reasoning
- This policy will primarily affect foreign nationals and their families, but will also have effects on U.S. immigration employees and some employers who rely on foreign workforce.
- While the budget is limited, the major cost is borne by these foreign individuals and the governments, not directly through U.S. expenditures over year one.
- The policy’s psychological impact on foreign nationals and their families will be significant, whereas U.S. citizens will largely feel secondary effects, mainly emotional or economic if they are connected to these foreign nationals.
Simulated Interviews
Restaurant owner (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried sick about my husband being forced to leave. It's unfair to break our family apart.
- Deporting him won't solve any issues, he contributes to society here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 3 |
Freelance graphic designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've built my life here. I don’t know how I would survive back in Mexico.
- This law feels like it's targeting people who have nowhere else to go.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 2 |
Immigration lawyer (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law will make it much harder for me to defend my clients effectively.
- There will be more desperation among those facing removal, and it will hurt their families.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Meatpacking plant manager (Omaha, NE)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on many foreign nationals for my business, and this could severely disrupt our operations.
- I understand the policy's intention but it seems harsh.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Software developer (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear for my spouse's future here, it puts a huge strain on our family.
- This policy feels really unjust and stressful for families like ours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
College student (Dallas, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m afraid I might not be able to renew my visa due to this policy.
- The uncertainty is really stressful when I just want to focus on my education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Border control officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it’s my job to enforce these laws, it’s heart-wrenching to see families torn apart.
- I hope this policy leads to diplomatic solutions rather than just more expulsions.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Construction worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean losing my only source of income which is crucial for my family.
- I don’t have a future back home, everything I know is here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 1 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 2 |
Diplomat (Washington, DC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Blocking visas is a strong diplomatic statement that will test our foreign relations.
- I see increased diplomatic tension which is not always productive.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Public school teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can break down the family unit which is crucial for my students’ development.
- The emotional stress on affected students will be significant and evident in their performance.
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 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Key Considerations
- Diplomatic repercussions could arise if foreign countries perceive the policy as too stringent, potentially impacting bilateral relations.
- Legal challenges might arise, increasing Department of Justice workload.
- The policy might shift some costs to foreign governments but could lead to increased efficiency in deportation processes.