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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 5581 (116th)

Access to Counsel Act of 2020

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

10 January 2020

Last action

5 March 2020 · Reported

Status

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 332.

Sponsors

Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40], Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16], Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12], Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9], Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

Subjects

Immigration

Source updated

6 December 2025

Immigration

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Access to Counsel Act of 2020 This bill establishes various protections for aliens in certain immigration-related proceedings or inspections. When an alien is undergoing certain types of inspections or is subject to a removal, exclusion, or deportation proceeding, the alien shall be entitled to representation by counsel of the alien's choice, at no cost to the government. The current statute only states that an alien is entitled to representation in removal proceedings. If such an alien is subject to detention or inspection at a port of entry and cannot meet with counsel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shall provide for remote communication with counsel. If such an alien has been denied access to counsel, the alien may not submit paperwork to abandon lawful permanent resident status or to withdraw an application for admission. The detention of an individual at a port of entry or a CBP or ICE facility shall (1) be limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions necessary, and (2) include access to food, water, and restrooms.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 10 January 2020

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 10 January 2020

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 10 January 2020

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 17 January 2020

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.

    Source: Committee

  5. 28 January 2020

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

    Source: Committee

  6. 11 February 2020

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  7. 12 February 2020

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Source: Committee

  8. 12 February 2020

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 5 March 2020

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 332.

    Source: Calendars

  10. 5 March 2020

    Discharge

    Committee on Homeland Security discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  11. 5 March 2020

    Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security discharged.

    Source: Committee

  12. 5 March 2020

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-412, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  13. 5 March 2020

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-412, Part I.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Reported in House (text)

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 5 March 2020

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 5 March 2020

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  • Reported to House, Part I

    summary · EN · 5 March 2020

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 January 2020

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 January 2020

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 10 January 2020

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 53 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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