Fairness to Freedom Act of 2026

This bill would give people facing deportation or other removal proceedings a right to a lawyer paid for by the government if they cannot afford one. A person whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line would qualify, and a removal proceeding could not begin until a lawyer is appointed. If the government fails to provide a lawyer, the proceedings would be ended with prejudice. The bill would create a private nonprofit Office of Immigration Representation, governed by a 24-member board, with local boards that set up public defender offices and panels of private attorneys to provide this representation.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Adam B. Schiff Democrat sponsor
• 8 cosponsors