Bill Overview
Title: Continued Presence Improvement Act
Description: This bill expands immigration-related protections for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are victims of human trafficking. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may permit such an individual to remain in the United States for a certain period of time if (1) the individual may be a potential witness to the trafficking, and (2) a federal law enforcement agency has applied to DHS for such permission on the individual's behalf. Under this bill, DHS may grant such relief even if the individual is not a potential witness. Furthermore, the bill expands the types of agencies that may apply for permission on the individual's behalf to include agencies such as local law enforcement and other authorities that have responsibility for investigating or prosecuting human trafficking. The bill also limits the enforcement of immigration laws against an individual who has received permission from DHS to remain in the United States.
Sponsors: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Target Audience
Population: Non-U.S. nationals who are victims of human trafficking
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill directly impacts non-U.S. nationals who are victims of human trafficking, as it provides expanded protections for them to remain in the U.S.
- Human trafficking is a global issue affecting millions, including individuals trafficked into the U.S.
- By allowing local and other investigative agencies to apply for continued presence on behalf of victims, more victims may be reached globally.
- The bill's provisions could encourage victims from a broader geographical area to seek protection in the U.S.
Reasoning
- The primary beneficiaries of this policy are non-U.S. nationals who are victims of human trafficking, expanding their legal protections and potential recovery pathways.
- While this policy does not impact U.S. citizens directly, it can enhance the overall effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts by incorporating local law enforcement into the application process.
- The cost considerations include direct funding for governmental processing and indirect funding through increased community services for the victims.
- Given the U.S. estimates approximately 17,000 individuals trafficked annually, only a fraction will benefit due to budget constraints.
- Most Americans will not notice a direct change, but areas with higher trafficking incidents may see community-level changes if victims feel safer coming forward.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is a positive step for human trafficking victims; everyone deserves safety and a chance to build a life free of fear.
- It's admirable that local enforcement can now step in to help, as they are often the first responders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Non-profit Director (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could be transformative for organizations like ours, enabling us to better support victims.
- Having local agencies involved is key; they understand the community dynamics and can act swiftly.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Immigration Attorney (El Paso, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This offers a crucial legal shield to those who are most vulnerable. It aligns with broader humanitarian goals we've been advocating for.
- Policy implementation is always tricky, but the expanded application network should streamline processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Police Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law could bolster our efforts in helping victims transition to safety more effectively.
- Having local agencies involved legitimizes our work and provides frameworks to act efficiently.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every step towards providing safety to trafficking victims is valuable, and it reflects the values I hold dear as an educator and empathetic citizen.
- I hope this policy leads to long-term societal benefits and increased awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Freelance Translator (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe stronger protection measures for trafficking victims are essential.
- The involvement of local authorities could lead to faster interventions and more localized support systems.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
University Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't have direct contact with the subjects of this act, knowing the U.S. takes such humane positions is reassuring.
- Policies like these indirectly shape my worldview of the country's principles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Restaurant Manager (Portland, OR)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is a move in the right direction for human rights.
- It reflects a broader acknowledgment of the struggles faced by trafficked individuals.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Freelance Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy allows for compelling narratives on justice and safety that need to be highlighted.
- I foresee increased attention on trafficking issues, which hopefully leads to broader policy changes.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
State Social Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can alleviate some of the systemic issues we see daily in social work.
- By providing a stable status, trafficking survivors can engage in recovery and rebuilding lives effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $262500000 (Low: $210000000, High: $315000000)
Year 3: $275625000 (Low: $220500000, High: $330750000)
Year 5: $302576250 (Low: $242550000, High: $363090000)
Year 10: $384169834 (Low: $307335000, High: $460013250)
Year 100: $2391742684 (Low: $1913393347, High: $2869992018)
Key Considerations
- Managing the administrative burden and ensuring timely processing of applications for continued presence is crucial.
- Implementation may require collaboration and training across various law enforcement agencies.
- Legal assistance will be needed to help navigate immigration processes for trafficking victims.
- Monitoring and evaluation will be essential to assess the effectiveness of this expansion in trafficking victim protections.