Bill Overview
Title: No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using federal funds to (1) pay for an abortion except if the life of the mother is endangered or the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest, or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate any abortion.
Sponsors: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Target Audience
Population: Women who are illegal immigrants and might consider an abortion while in federal custody
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill specifically targets the use of federal funds for abortions and restricts it to specific cases, affecting immigrants who are pregnant and in federal custody.
- It focuses on unauthorized immigrants who might seek access to an abortion while detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- The bill includes exceptions only in cases where the mother's life is endangered, or the pregnancy results from rape or incest.
- A significant portion of the immigrant population detained by ICE are women of childbearing age.
- The broader population of illegal immigrants in the U.S., which is estimated to be between 10 to 12 million, includes a substantial number of women who may be in situations where they might consider an abortion.
Reasoning
- The primary individuals impacted by the policy are unauthorized immigrant women who might seek an abortion while in federal custody. These women represent a fraction of the overall unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S., which is a diverse group with varied backgrounds.
- The policy may have a negligible direct impact on U.S. citizens but could affect healthcare providers and support networks that interact with these women, especially in cases regarding the legal and logistical implications of providing or facilitating access to abortion services.
- Not all unauthorized immigrant women detained by ICE would seek an abortion, and of those who do, not all would qualify under the exceptions outlined in the bill.
- While the policy does not allocate funds and has no direct cost, its implementation could lead to legal and medical challenges, influencing the wellbeing of those affected by administrative policies indirectly.
- Cultural, ethical, and religious beliefs among the affected population will influence individuals' perspectives on abortion rights, complicating universal predictions on wellbeing changes.
Simulated Interviews
undocumented immigrant, former teacher (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the implications on my rights and the limited choices I will have for reproductive health while in detention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
undocumented immigrant, agricultural worker (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about what will happen if I need another abortion. I want to have my children in safe conditions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
undocumented immigrant, housekeeper (Florida)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe in protecting life but worry about what happens in extreme situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
undocumented immigrant, student (Arizona)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy scares me; I don't want to lose control over my own life and body.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
undocumented immigrant, nanny (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel nervous about what would happen if I am caught without options for my body.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
undocumented immigrant, student (New Mexico)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Women's rights should not be limited regardless of their immigration status.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
undocumented immigrant, cook (Nevada)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a Catholic, I don't support abortion, but I think women should have a choice in dangerous situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
undocumented immigrant, restaurant worker (Illinois)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am scared about the precedent this sets. Rights are being taken away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
undocumented immigrant, seamstress (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I understand the policy intention, I believe in comprehensive healthcare access for all.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
undocumented immigrant, retail worker (Georgia)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry how this might affect my sister, who could be detained and faces risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill reinforces existing restrictions on federal funding for abortions, aligning with the Hyde Amendment but focusing specifically on ICE detainees.
- There will likely be political reactions and potential legal challenges from advocacy groups concerned about women's reproductive rights.
- Implementation and enforcement of the policy could require administrative oversight, possibly incurring minor costs.