Bill Overview
Title: Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish at least two Joint Operations Centers along the U.S.-Mexico border. The centers shall provide centralized operations hubs for (1) coordinating operations between federal, state, local, and tribal agencies as needed; and (2) coordinating and supporting border operations, including detecting criminal activity, including activity related to transnational criminal organizations and illegal border crossings.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals living in border communities and transnational networks near the U.S.-Mexico border
Estimated Size: 12000000
- The bill involves setting up operations centers along the U.S.-Mexico border to better coordinate law enforcement activities across different agency levels.
- Individuals living near the U.S.-Mexico border are likely to experience impacts due to increased law enforcement activity and operations centers.
- Transnational criminal organizations' activities often extend beyond just the U.S. and Mexico, potentially impacting families and networks across different countries.
- The general public on both sides of the border could be affected by changes in border security and enforcement practices.
- Immigrants and those attempting to cross the border will face changes impacting their journey and potential legal status if intercepted by coordinated law enforcement.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets enhanced security and border management which directly impacts communities living near the U.S.-Mexico border, including those in transnational networks.
- The impact will likely vary across different demographics: direct law enforcement personnel may see improved operational procedures while border residents could face increased scrutiny and disruption.
- Cultural and economic activities often involve cross-border interactions, especially in regions with strong Hispanic and Latino communities; these may experience both direct and indirect effects.
- There is potential for reduced illegal activity which might enhance security perceptions, positively affecting the wellbeing of the general public.
- However, increased law enforcement can also raise concerns about civil liberties and individual freedoms, particularly in demographic groups with historical tensions with law enforcement authority.
- The policy has distinct budgetary and operational constraints, aimed at servicing a highly specific and localized demographic, but with broader national implications.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (El Paso, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should improve our coordination and efficiency at the border, leading to fewer illegal crossings.
- I believe this will ultimately make the community safer and help us do our jobs better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small business owner (San Diego, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might impact the ease of cross-border trade, which is crucial for our logistics operations.
- Increased security might slow down our supply chain but it could also reduce the risks associated with illegal activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Immigration Attorney (Nogales, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will make it harder for my clients to navigate the legal system and might result in more deportations.
- Stronger coordination around border security may increase fear within immigrant communities.
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 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Retired law enforcement (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm in favor of stronger border security measures, it should help reduce crime in our region.
- While it's a complex issue, coordinated efforts can provide peace of mind for residents.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased militarization of the border worries me regarding human rights issues.
- As someone with family in Mexico, I fear this might make visiting them more complicated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
School teacher (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about how this policy might further strain US-Mexico relations, impacting our border community.
- While security might improve, I'm concerned about the psychological impact on my students who have family across the border.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Local shop owner (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strengthening border operations might deter criminal activity which could help local businesses like mine by making our region more attractive to tourists.
- I hope it doesn't discourage cross-border shoppers who often help keep our businesses afloat.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Healthcare worker (McAllen, TX)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased border security might lead to stress and anxiety among my patients, affecting their health.
- I am concerned about the wellbeing of my community, where many undocumented individuals reside.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Retired agricultural worker (Las Cruces, NM)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policymakers should understand how these laws affect us who live here, making family gatherings and daily life harder due to increased security scrutiny.
- I expect increasing enforcement doesn't help in strengthening community ties across the border.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Community organizer (Laredo, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy directly counters our mission to support immigrant communities in need.
- It puts considerable pressure on individuals trying to seek a better life across the border.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $95000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $90000000)
Year 3: $75000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $90000000)
Year 5: $76000000 (Low: $66000000, High: $92000000)
Year 10: $78000000 (Low: $68000000, High: $95000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Coordination among diverse agencies at multiple government levels requires effective oversight, particularly considering legal and jurisdictional complexities.
- Technology investment is crucial for these centers to effectively process and share data in real-time, affecting both security outcomes and privacy concerns.
- The involvement of tribal agencies and ensuring respect for tribal sovereignty and perspectives require careful diplomatic engagement.