Know Your Rights Act

The "Know Your Rights Act" directs the Attorney General to establish an Office of Legal Access Programs within the Executive Office for Immigration Review. This new office is tasked with developing and administering comprehensive legal orientation programs for noncitizens. The primary goal of these programs is to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of immigration proceedings by educating noncitizens about administrative procedures and their legal rights under United States immigration law. The Attorney General must submit a plan to Congress within 180 days and ensure these programs are deployed for all detained persons within one year of the Act's enactment.

These legal orientation programs are designed to assist noncitizens, whether in or released from custody, in making informed and timely decisions regarding their removal and eligibility for relief, thereby improving access to counsel and other legal services. The programs and written notices of rights must be available in English and the five most common native languages spoken by detained individuals at each location. Procedures require that these programs be made available to noncitizens within five days of arrival into custody, providing essential information on hearing procedures, rights, and potential legal resources. The bill also emphasizes identifying particularly vulnerable noncitizens, such as unaccompanied children and those with serious mental disabilities, for special consideration.