Politiparty
Politiparty
LeaderboardCongressBills

118th Congress Immigration

H.R. 2697: Fairness to Freedom Act of 2023

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Apr 18, 2023
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Apr 18, 2023

This bill establishes a right to legal representation in certain immigration proceedings (e.g., removal and immigration bond hearings) at the government's expense for individuals who cannot afford representation. The bill also establishes various entities to facilitate such legal representation.

Currently, individuals in these immigration proceedings may be represented by counsel but not at government expense.

The bill addresses various issues related to such legal representation, including (1) the scope of the representation, (2) criteria for determining whether the individual is financially unable to afford representation, and (3) requirements relating to allowing the individual to meet with their lawyer and receiving relevant documents. Immigration proceedings may not commence until counsel has been appointed.

Read the full summary

The bill also establishes the Office of Immigration Representation to ensure that qualified individuals who cannot afford legal representation receive the representation as required by this bill. The office's duties shall include establishing (1) administrative regions throughout the United States, and (2) a local immigration representation board for each region.

The local boards must, subject to the office's approval, develop and implement plans for providing legal representation under this bill. To provide such legal representation, the local boards may (1) establish one or more immigrant public defender organizations, (2) contract with existing community defender organizations, and (3) establish a panel attorney system.

The bill establishes minimum funding requirements for the office.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

38

Who scored on this bill

6 points earned
  1. 1Norma Torres D-CA SponsorIntroduced, reached a cosponsor milestone2 events+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Norma Torres

History

  1. Apr 18, 2023Introduced in the House by Norma Torres.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Apr 18, 2023Introduced in House
  2. Apr 18, 2023Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.