Legis Daily

Access to Counsel Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-391| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2025
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Access to Counsel Act of 2025" aims to enhance the rights of certain individuals undergoing inspection at U.S. ports of entry or facilities overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that covered individuals , including U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and various visa holders, have a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and an interested party during secondary or deferred inspection processes. This legislation mandates that such consultation must be provided within one hour of secondary inspection commencing and continue as needed throughout the inspection. Counsel and interested parties are explicitly allowed to advocate for the individual, including by submitting information and documentation to examining officers. Furthermore, the bill establishes a special rule for lawful permanent residents, prohibiting the acceptance of a Form I-407 (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status) without first offering a meaningful opportunity to seek advice from counsel, unless this right is knowingly and voluntarily waived in writing.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1912
Access to Counsel Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-342
Access to Counsel Act of 2023
Feb 4, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-944
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S595-596)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1912
    Access to Counsel Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-342
    Access to Counsel Act of 2023


  • February 4, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-944
    Introduced in House


  • February 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S595-596)

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-944: Access to Counsel Act

Access to Counsel Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-391| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2025
The "Access to Counsel Act of 2025" aims to enhance the rights of certain individuals undergoing inspection at U.S. ports of entry or facilities overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that covered individuals , including U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and various visa holders, have a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and an interested party during secondary or deferred inspection processes. This legislation mandates that such consultation must be provided within one hour of secondary inspection commencing and continue as needed throughout the inspection. Counsel and interested parties are explicitly allowed to advocate for the individual, including by submitting information and documentation to examining officers. Furthermore, the bill establishes a special rule for lawful permanent residents, prohibiting the acceptance of a Form I-407 (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status) without first offering a meaningful opportunity to seek advice from counsel, unless this right is knowingly and voluntarily waived in writing.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1912
Access to Counsel Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-342
Access to Counsel Act of 2023
Feb 4, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-944
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S595-596)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1912
    Access to Counsel Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-342
    Access to Counsel Act of 2023


  • February 4, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-944
    Introduced in House


  • February 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S595-596)
Alex Padilla

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (15)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 119-944: Access to Counsel Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted