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Right to Counsel for Individuals Facing Removal Proceedings

This act establishes the right to government-funded legal representation for individuals facing removal proceedings who cannot afford an attorney. It aims to ensure a fair process and access to legal defense, regardless of financial status. A dedicated office will be created to manage these services.
Key points
Individuals facing removal from the U.S. who cannot afford an attorney will receive free legal representation at government expense.
The right to counsel will apply at every stage of proceedings, from initial detention to appeals in federal courts.
An independent Office of Immigration Representation will be established to oversee and provide high-quality legal services.
Seeking or receiving appointed counsel will not be used as a basis for determining an individual is likely to become a "public charge" for immigration purposes.
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Status:
Expired
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Additional Information
Fairness to Freedom Act of 2023
Print number: HR 2697
Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Process start date: 2023-04-18
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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Summary & Status

Key Questions about Right to Counsel for Individuals Facing Removal Proceedings

A structured overview of the legislative process, official sources, status and civic context.

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is HR 2697.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-04-18.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Individuals facing removal from the U.S. who cannot afford an attorney will receive free legal representation at government expense.
  • The right to counsel will apply at every stage of proceedings, from initial detention to appeals in federal courts.
  • An independent Office of Immigration Representation will be established to oversee and provide high-quality legal services.
  • Seeking or receiving appointed counsel will not be used as a basis for determining an individual is likely to become a "public charge" for immigration purposes.

What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-25.

Analysis and Potential Impact of HR 2697

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge. Review our public AI processing logs for full transparency, and use Lustra to track active legislation for instant status push notifications.

CATEGORIES

Migration Courts and Law