Bill Overview
Title: Exception for Certain Bars to Admissibility Relating to Previous Unlawful Entry as Children Act
Description: This bill expands an exception to a provision that bars the admission of certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who unlawfully reenter (or attempt to unlawfully reenter) the United States after being ordered removed. Currently, the bar to admission does not apply to such a non-U.S. national if the individual (1) last departed from the United States more than 10 years before the attempt to reenter the United States, and (2) has received consent from the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission. This bill adds another exception for individuals who last departed from the United States before becoming 11 years old.
Sponsors: Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Target Audience
Population: people who unlawfully entered the US as children and are seeking exceptions to admissibility
Estimated Size: 20000
- The bill pertains to non-U.S. nationals who had a previous unlawful entry into the United States.
- The specific target population is individuals who last left the United States before the age of 11 and are thus seeking exceptions to the bar on admissibility.
- Currently, to be eligible for this exception, individuals must also have departed more than 10 years before their reentry attempt and received consent from the Department of Homeland Security.
- Children often migrate with parents or guardians, so this legislation may affect families collectively.
- Migration and reentry attempts are common in several parts of the world, with significant emigrant populations in regions experiencing conflict or economic hardship.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically impacts non-U.S. nationals who entered the country unlawfully as children and now seek an exception to inadmissibility. Thus, the direct impact is on a relatively small niche group within the larger immigrant community.
- Cultural and community considerations are important since the affected individuals may have family ties in the U.S., affecting both non-U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens indirectly.
- Wellbeing scores will vary significantly: directly impacted individuals may see substantial benefits depending on their aspirations to reenter the U.S. legally.
- Cost considerations will limit the total number of individuals directly benefited by the policy. With significant processing and legal costs involved, the allotted budget in the first year suggests a focus on complex, individual cases.
Simulated Interviews
Caregiver (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I lived in the U.S. for half my childhood and then was taken back to Guatemala. My entire family still lives in the States.
- If the U.S. government understands our situation back then, this policy would mean the world to me. I want to be reunited with my family without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was too young to understand why we moved around so much. My mom still lives in the U.S.
- This policy offers a chance for us to complete our family puzzle. That's how I see it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Housekeeper (McAllen, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel my children deserve to have both parents with them. This is crucial for our family's future.
- Such policies can be life-altering if handled properly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (El Paso, TX)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am working towards a degree but need my family's support for emotional strength.
- Any policy that can bring families back together gives the youth of today hope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Unemployed (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A stable life is impossible without fixing immigration issues that I faced wrongfully as a child.
- While I have struggled with mental health issues, a chance for legal reentry would provide peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Seamstress (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The law seems incredibly hopeful for those of us who got caught in tricky circumstances as kids.
- If accepted, I could visit my parents who stayed behind without fear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Bartender (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've missed too many family reunions because of my circumstances.
- Understanding by the government and policies like this can change lives of thousands like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Newark, NJ)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting legal clearance to visit my children and grandchildren in the U.S. would be a blessing.
- It's been hard to stay connected, so I'm hopeful of a positive outcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Self-employed (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have been waiting for the right opportunity to go back legally and visit family.
- Policies like this give us a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Nanny (San Diego, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wasn't even aware that I'd been in America unlawfully until everything came crashing down.
- Family bonds mean the world to me, and I'm hoping this policy helps others like myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $52000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $54000000)
Year 5: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $58000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $65000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $90000000)
Key Considerations
- Legal process adjustments might be necessary to accommodate new exceptions, potentially increasing initial costs.
- The shift in policy could lead to broader immigration reform discussions, influencing future policy environments.
- There is uncertainty with the exact number of individuals who will apply and be granted the exception, affecting cost estimates.
- Balancing enhanced border enforcement with humanitarian exceptions will be crucial for gaining policy support.