Bill Overview
Title: DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the authority of the Department of Homeland Security to establish joint task forces. The bill also modifies various reporting and oversight requirements related to such joint task forces.
Sponsors: Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
Target Audience
Population: People interacting with DHS Joint Task Forces
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill concerns the operations of DHS which primarily affects individuals interacting with immigration and border patrol services.
- Joint task forces typically engage with issues such as immigration enforcement, drug control, and cross-border security.
- U.S. citizens living in border states or areas with high immigrant populations are likely to be indirectly impacted.
- Employees of the DHS and law enforcement personnel working in joint task forces will be directly affected.
- Undocumented immigrants and families living near border areas may experience changes in enforcement activity.
Reasoning
- The DHS Joint Task Force has a specific focus on immigration and drug control, meaning the most affected groups will be immigrants (especially undocumented), law enforcement officers, and residents in border states.
- Given the budgetary limits, the reach of the policy in terms of directly changing many people's lives will be restricted due to its enforcement and administrative nature.
- The target population estimate of 500,000 to 1,000,000 people interacting with DHS reflects some direct impact, but mostly indirect effects on wellbeing, such as stress related to enforcement activities.
- Respondents include a mix of those directly interacting with DHS (e.g., immigrants, border officials) and indirect participants (e.g., citizens of border regions).
- Budgetary constraints mean significant wellbeing changes may be delayed or minimal initially, with more noticeable effects possibly emerging more pronouncedly in the 5 to 10 year range.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm supportive of the reauthorization as it allows us to continue our essential work with the resources we need.
- The oversight element ensures accountability, which is crucial for maintaining public trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Community Organizer (El Paso, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Oversight is good, but any increase in enforcement activity could increase the stress in immigrant communities.
- We fear that the reauthorization might escalate deportation activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm quite concerned about how more stringent enforcement might hurt my business by targeting my workforce.
- If too many workers are disturbed by these task forces, it could cause disruption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Immigration Attorney (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorization might mean more clients and cases, but the stress on these individuals will be immense.
- I hope it comes with effective checks to prevent unnecessary hardship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
High School Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There is apprehension about how this might affect the students' sense of security and focus in school.
- We rely on community stability for our students to thrive, and this may unsettle that balance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Home Health Aide (Nogales, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased DHS activities might make traveling to my clients more challenging or stressful.
- Safety and peace of mind are paramount, and those may be at risk with increased activity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Technology Consultant (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I barely have any encounters with joint task forces given my job and location.
- Any changes in DHS operations are more of an abstract concept for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Student (Laredo, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could broaden my opportunities in law enforcement, given the focus on joint task forces.
- It does potentially make the career path more rigorous and demanding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired (Whitewater, NM)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a retiree, I don’t regularly engage with DHS activities, so any reauthorization is distant from my immediate concerns.
- I hope it benefits the societies positively overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Undocumented Immigrant (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This increases anxiety in our lives as it could mean more raids or deportation risks.
- We live constantly with fear, and knowing these joint task forces are active makes it worse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5100000 (Low: $4100000, High: $6100000)
Year 3: $4900000 (Low: $3900000, High: $5900000)
Year 5: $5300000 (Low: $4300000, High: $6300000)
Year 10: $5500000 (Low: $4500000, High: $6500000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $11000000)
Key Considerations
- No new legislation or policy for increased enforcement is included, limiting potential cost escalations.
- Coordination with multiple agencies may incur hidden costs related to inter-agency communication and logistics.