summary
Introduced
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
In Committee
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To clarify the rights of certain persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
AI Summary
This bill, called the "Access to Counsel Act," aims to clarify and expand the rights of certain individuals during immigration inspections at ports of entry or in facilities overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide a meaningful opportunity for "covered individuals" (which includes U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, visa holders, refugees, and others) to consult with legal counsel and an interested party within one hour of starting a secondary inspection. The bill mandates that counsel and interested parties can advocate for the individual by providing information and documentation, and that immigration officials should, when possible, accommodate requests for in-person legal consultation. A notable provision protects lawful permanent residents by preventing them from being asked to abandon their status without first having an opportunity to seek legal advice, unless they voluntarily and knowingly waive that right in writing. The bill defines "counsel" broadly to include attorneys in good standing and accredited representatives from recognized immigration organizations. The amendments will take effect 180 days after the Act's enactment and do not limit existing rights to counsel under other immigration laws. The overall goal is to ensure fair treatment and legal support for individuals undergoing immigration inspections.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (72)
Pramila Jayapal (D)*,
Yassamin Ansari (D),
Becca Balint (D),
Nanette Barragán (D),
Wesley Bell (D),
Suzanne Bonamici (D),
Julia Brownley (D),
Salud Carbajal (D),
André Carson (D),
Greg Casar (D),
Sean Casten (D),
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D),
Judy Chu (D),
Gil Cisneros (D),
Yvette Clarke (D),
Lou Correa (D),
Jasmine Crockett (D),
Danny Davis (D),
Diana DeGette (D),
Mark DeSaulnier (D),
Maxine Dexter (D),
Lloyd Doggett (D),
Veronica Escobar (D),
Adriano Espaillat (D),
Dwight Evans (D),
Teresa Fernandez (D),
Lizzie Fletcher (D),
Lois Frankel (D),
Sylvia Garcia (D),
Chuy García (D),
Dan Goldman (D),
Raúl Grijalva (D),
Val Hoyle (D),
Jared Huffman (D),
Hank Johnson (D),
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D),
Ro Khanna (D),
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D),
George Latimer (D),
Summer Lee (D),
Ted Lieu (D),
Zoe Lofgren (D),
Sarah McBride (D),
Jim McGovern (D),
LaMonica McIver (D),
Grace Meng (D),
Gwen Moore (D),
Jerry Nadler (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D),
Ilhan Omar (D),
Chellie Pingree (D),
Mark Pocan (D),
Ayanna Pressley (D),
Mike Quigley (D),
Delia Ramirez (D),
Jamie Raskin (D),
Linda Sánchez (D),
Mary Gay Scanlon (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Lateefah Simon (D),
Adam Smith (D),
Melanie Stansbury (D),
Eric Swalwell (D),
Shri Thanedar (D),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
Jill Tokuda (D),
Derek Tran (D),
Juan Vargas (D),
Nydia Velázquez (D),
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D),
Nikema Williams (D),
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/944/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr944/BILLS-119hr944ih.pdf |
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