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Free Legal Counsel for Unaccompanied Children in Deportation Proceedings.

This law ensures that children who arrive in the U.S. without adult guardians receive a government-funded lawyer throughout their entire deportation process. This aims to guarantee a fair trial and equal access to justice for the most vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, children and their lawyers must receive the full case documentation from the government before proceedings can begin, ensuring time for defense preparation.
Key points
Unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings are entitled to a free, government-appointed lawyer provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Counsel must be provided quickly and represent the child at every stage of the proceedings, regardless of whether the child turns 18.
Authorities must provide the full case file (A-file) to the child or their counsel within 7 days of the start of proceedings, and the hearing cannot begin without 10 days for review.
If the government fails to provide counsel, time limits for reopening the deportation case are waived, and filing a motion stays the child's removal.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_3065
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Process start date: 2023-10-17
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_3065.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-10-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings are entitled to a free, government-appointed lawyer provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
  • Counsel must be provided quickly and represent the child at every stage of the proceedings, regardless of whether the child turns 18.
  • Authorities must provide the full case file (A-file) to the child or their counsel within 7 days of the start of proceedings, and the hearing cannot begin without 10 days for review.
  • If the government fails to provide counsel, time limits for reopening the deportation case are waived, and filing a motion stays the child's removal.
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 Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Migration