119th Congress Immigration
H.R. 3127: Fairness to Freedom Act of 2025
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.
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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
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Pramila Jayapal D-WAOriginal
- Grace Meng D-NYOriginal
- Rashida Tlaib D-MI
- Judy Chu D-CA
- Eleanor Norton D-DC
- Delia Ramirez D-IL
- Dan Goldman D-NY
- Henry Johnson D-GA
- Mike Quigley D-IL
- Shri Thanedar D-MI
- Andrea Salinas D-OR
- Jasmine Crockett D-TX
- Diana DeGette D-CO
- Robert Garcia D-CA
- Yvette Clarke D-NY
- Adriano Espaillat D-NY
- Sylvia Garcia D-TX
- Stephen Lynch D-MA
- Janice Schakowsky D-IL
- Mary Scanlon D-PA
Who scored on this bill
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Other bills by Norma Torres
History
- Introduced in the House by Norma Torres.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.