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Border Rights: Guaranteed Access to Counsel During Secondary Immigration Inspection.

This law ensures that individuals undergoing detailed inspection at ports of entry have a guaranteed right to consult with a lawyer or an interested party. If you are held for secondary inspection by border officials, you must be given access to legal assistance within one hour of the process starting. This change significantly strengthens the rights of travelers, including legal permanent residents, preventing them from unknowingly abandoning their status without legal advice.
Key points
Guarantees access to a lawyer or an interested party within 1 hour of starting secondary border inspection by CBP.
Legal counsel and interested parties are allowed to actively advocate for the individual by providing supporting information and evidence.
Legal Permanent Residents cannot abandon their status without first having a meaningful opportunity to seek legal advice, unless they explicitly waive this right in writing.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_342
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Process start date: 2023-02-09
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

Access to Counsel Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_342.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-02-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Guarantees access to a lawyer or an interested party within 1 hour of starting secondary border inspection by CBP.
  • Legal counsel and interested parties are allowed to actively advocate for the individual by providing supporting information and evidence.
  • Legal Permanent Residents cannot abandon their status without first having a meaningful opportunity to seek legal advice, unless they explicitly waive this right in writing.
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. Padilla, Alex [D-CA].

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

Migration Courts and Law