Bill Overview
Title: Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act
Description: This bill addresses various issues related to border security. For example, the bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive reimbursement for the salaries of DHS employees providing training to foreign-vetted law enforcement or national security units under an agreement with the Department of Defense; authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide air and marine support to foreign governments for certain operations, such as an operation to stop illegal drugs from entering the United States; and makes it a crime to destroy or significantly damage physical or electronic devices (e.g., fences or cameras) used by the federal government to control a U.S. international border with the intent to achieve certain goals relating to securing financial gain and breaking federal laws.
Sponsors: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in or affected by drug trafficking and border operations
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill focuses on border security and specifically on enhancing drug seizure operations, which will impact people involved in drug trafficking operations.
- People residing in border areas may experience increased safety or security due to enhanced border operations.
- The bill involves foreign law enforcement training, affecting foreign communities engaged with U.S. border operations.
- U.S. citizens could see changes due to the legal implications of the new crime regarding damaging border security equipment.
Reasoning
- The policy targets drug trafficking which primarily affects border areas where drugs enter the country. Therefore, individuals in these regions are directly impacted.
- Communities directly involved with the border will feel the effects more significantly, as their lives are often entangled with cross-border issues.
- Individuals with family members engaged in law enforcement or security on the borders might see indirect benefits from the enhanced safety and job security.
- Not everyone will be directly impacted - some people, especially those not near border areas, will experience no change.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Officer (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy will strengthen our efforts on the ground to prevent illegal activities.
- Enhanced technology and legal protections will improve our efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Tucson, Arizona)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean more safety but also higher tensions in border communities.
- Hopefully, it leads to reduction in contraband activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (San Diego, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy helps reduce illegal activities and creates a better environment for business.
- Some enhancements might scare lawful customers from visiting border areas.
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 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Substance Abuse Counselor (Houston, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies targeting drug reduction are always positive in my view.
- The key is ensuring this does not lead to increased incarceration rates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (Nogales, Arizona)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might complicate cross-border relations further.
- It could be grounds for future negotiation tactics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Journalist (McAllen, Texas)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen rises in border issues and hope this policy will bring about positive change.
- There needs to be transparency in implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Truck Driver (Brownsville, Texas)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With stricter border security, I am concerned about delays in logistics.
- Efficiency improvements would be a welcome change.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this will reduce the local drug issues.
- Safety is always a priority for our neighborhood.
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 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Lawyer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear it could lead to more legal complications for individuals crossing without intent for illegal activities.
- Overall, better security could mean fewer unlawful entrants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Health Worker (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help account for the public health impacts of drugs reaching communities.
- It's important to address root causes rather than just symptoms through enforcement.
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 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $550000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $470000000, High: $570000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $490000000, High: $590000000)
Year 5: $600000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $650000000)
Year 10: $750000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $800000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Training foreign entities could lead to long-term diplomatic and security benefits but requires sustained investment.
- The cost of expanding border support will need ongoing budget allocations to ensure the enhancement of operations without strain on existing DHS resources.
- Legal enforcement involving damage to security devices requires a robust system, which may increase overhead costs initially.