Congress guarantees lawyers for immigrants facing deportation—at government expense.

What it does

This bill establishes a federal right to government-funded legal counsel for people facing immigration removal proceedings who cannot afford a lawyer. It creates a new independent nonprofit agency—the Office of Immigration Representation—to manage a nationwide system of public defenders, contract attorneys, and panel lawyers. Anyone with income below 200% of the poverty line automatically qualifies; counsel must be appointed within 24 hours of detention and must represent clients continuously through all stages of removal proceedings, appeals, and related matters.

Why we flagged it

The bill's operative mechanism is a statutory entitlement to government-funded legal representation in removal proceedings, coupled with creation of an independent federal agency to administer it. This is a due-process and access-to-justice measure, not a regulatory or appropriations instrument.

What the text implies

• Establishes a permanent federal agency (Office of Immigration Representation) with independent governance, insulating counsel appointments from political pressure by DHS/DOJ—a structural shift in power over immigration enforcement.
• Requires government to pause removal proceedings until counsel is appointed and documents are provided (10-day review period), creating procedural delays that may reduce deportation throughput.
• Bars use of counsel-seeking as basis for public-charge determination, protecting immigrants from immigration-status consequences for exercising the right—a significant anti-retaliation provision.
• Mandates continuous representation through all appeals and related proceedings (including habeas, post-conviction relief, SIJS applications), extending government obligation far beyond initial removal hearing.
• Requires counsel access within 12 hours of detention and alternative remote access if in-person meeting unavailable; failure to provide access bars use of statements and may trigger case termination with prejudice.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Ordinary people facing removal—many of whom are detained, non-English-speaking, and unfamiliar with U.S. law—gain a concrete right to legal representation at no cost, enforceable procedural protections (24-hour counsel access, document review periods, continuances), and explicit protection against retaliation for seeking counsel. The bill shifts power from immigration enforcement agencies to independent legal advocates and courts.

Who stands to gain

• Immigration legal service providers (nonprofits, public defender organizations, panel attorneys)
• Community-based organizations providing immigrant services
• Law firms and solo practitioners serving as panel attorneys

Named in the bill

Office of Immigration Representation (new federal nonprofit), Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, Federal Courts of Appeal, Community Defender Organizations, Immigration Public Defender Organizations

Where it stands

20 cosponsors: 20 Democrats.

• Apr 30, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Apr 30, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.