Bill Overview
Title: 287(g) Program Protection Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow qualified state and local law enforcement agencies to perform certain immigration enforcement activities if the agency requests such authority. DHS may refuse to grant the request only if there is a compelling reason. Currently, DHS is authorized to grant such authority but is not required to do so.
Sponsors: Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]
Target Audience
Population: Undocumented immigrants and their families
Estimated Size: 16000000
- The bill affects state and local law enforcement agencies, enhancing their ability to enforce immigration laws.
- Undocumented immigrants would likely be directly impacted as they may face increased enforcement activities.
- The families of undocumented immigrants could also be indirectly impacted, including children who may be U.S. citizens but live with undocumented family members.
- Local communities with large immigrant populations may experience changes in community policing dynamics and trust with law enforcement.
Reasoning
- Considering the policy budget restraints, the impact analysis needs to primarily focus on the undocumented immigrant population and mixed-status families they reside within.
- Several perspectives should be covered including those who may benefit from perceived enhanced public safety, those directly at threat due to increased enforcement, and those in law enforcement impacted by the policy.
- The policy is less likely to have a wide-reaching financial impact beyond its immediate scope due to budget limitations. Thus, simulating interviews of perspectives in communities with dense immigrant populations and varying levels of trust in law enforcement is critical.
Simulated Interviews
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about being separated from my kids.
- My community is already tense with the police, and this will only make it worse.
- Living in constant fear becomes exhausting and harms my family's wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 5 |
Kindergarten Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear this could impact my husband's ability to stay with us.
- I worry about what this means for our children if their father is deported.
- Community trust has been eroding, and this could increase divisiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Undocumented Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I contribute to the community and economy and just want to stay under the radar.
- This policy feels like it targets people like me and my family unnecessarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 7 |
Police Officer (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help us manage crime more effectively.
- It might lead to more trust in law enforcement if handled correctly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy singles out a vulnerable community and increases fear among immigrants.
- I'm concerned for my friends and community members who may be affected.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
IT Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear the possible deportation of my partner.
- There's stress daily due to immigration uncertainties that this law will deepen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy worries me as it threatens our family unit.
- I fear for my parents' safety and their ability to stay.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Restaurant Manager (El Paso, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might complicate hiring and workforce stability in my restaurant.
- I understand the law but worry about the implications for my staff.
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 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Public School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My students' families could be deeply affected by this policy, which worries me.
- There's a fear that children will be abandoned if parents are deported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Registered Nurse (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could impact my spouse's ability to remain in the U.S.
- We have built a life here together, and it feels at risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 3: $5500000 (Low: $3400000, High: $8800000)
Year 5: $6000000 (Low: $3600000, High: $9600000)
Year 10: $7000000 (Low: $4200000, High: $11000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $24000000)
Key Considerations
- The administrative burden on DHS could rise considerably depending on the number of requests and active 287(g) agreements.
- The social impacts in communities with high undocumented populations could include tension and disruption, affecting local relations with law enforcement.
- Legal challenges and civil rights concerns surrounding increased local immigration enforcement could lead to increased federal legal liabilities.