H.R. 9259

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9259 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9259

To provide counsel for unaccompanied children, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 11, 2026

Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Crockett, Mr. 
Davis of Illinois, Ms. DeGette, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Garcia of Texas, 
Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. 
Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Simon, Ms. Dexter, and Mrs. 
Ramirez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on the 
Budget, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide counsel for unaccompanied children, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 
2026''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Noncitizen.--The term ``noncitizen'' means an 
individual who is not a citizen or national of the United 
States.
(2) Unaccompanied child.--The term ``unaccompanied child'' 
has the meaning given the term ``unaccompanied alien child'' in 
section 462(g) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
279(g)).

SEC. 3. REFERENCES TO ALIENS.

With respect to an individual who is not a citizen or national of 
the United States, any reference in this Act to a ``noncitizen'' shall 
be deemed to refer to an individual otherwise described as an ``alien'' 
in any Federal law, Federal regulation, or any written instrument 
issued by the executive branch of the Government.

SEC. 4. IMPROVING IMMIGRATION COURT EFFICIENCY AND REDUCING COSTS BY 
INCREASING ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION.

(a) Definitions.--Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(53) The term `noncitizen' means an individual who is not a 
citizen or national of the United States.
``(54) The term `unaccompanied child' has the meaning given the 
term `unaccompanied alien child' in section 462(g) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)).''.
(b) Appointment of Counsel in Removal Proceedings; Right To Review 
Certain Documents in Removal Proceedings.--Section 240(b) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ``under regulations of the Attorney General'' 
and inserting ``under regulations of the Attorney 
General, or in the case of an unaccompanied child, 
under regulations of the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``, at no expense to the 
Government,''; and
(ii) by striking the comma at the end and 
inserting a semicolon;
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following:
``(B) the Attorney General, or in the case of an 
unaccompanied child, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, may appoint or provide counsel, at Government 
expense, to noncitizens in immigration proceedings;
``(C) the noncitizen, or the noncitizen's counsel, 
not later than 7 days after receiving a notice to 
appear under section 239(a), shall receive a complete 
copy of the noncitizen's immigration file (commonly 
known as an `A-file') in the possession of the 
Department of Homeland Security (other than documents 
protected from disclosure under section 552(b) of title 
5, United States Code);''; and
(E) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by 
striking ``, and'' and inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Failure to provide noncitizen required documents.--A 
removal proceeding may not proceed until the noncitizen, or the 
noncitizen's counsel if the noncitizen is represented--
``(A) has received the documents required under 
paragraph (4)(C); and
``(B) has been provided at least 10 days to review 
and assess such documents, unless the noncitizen or the 
noncitizen's counsel expressly waives such review 
period.''.
(c) Clarification Regarding the Authority of the Federal Government 
To Appoint Counsel to Noncitizens in Immigration Proceedings.--
(1) In general.--Section 292 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 292. RIGHT TO COUNSEL.

``(a) In General.--In any removal proceeding before the Attorney 
General, an appeal from such a removal proceeding, and any related 
matter before the Department of Homeland Security or a State court, an 
unaccompanied child shall have the privilege of being represented by 
such counsel as may be authorized to practice in such proceeding or 
matter as he or she may choose. This subsection shall not apply to 
screening proceedings described in section 235(b)(1)(A).
``(b) Access to Counsel for Unaccompanied Children.--
``(1) In general.--In any removal proceeding before the 
Attorney General, an appeal from such a removal proceeding, and 
any related matter before the Department of Homeland Security 
or a State court, an unaccompanied child shall be represented 
by counsel appointed or provided by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, at Government expense, unless the child has 
obtained at his or her own expense counsel authorized to 
practice in such proceeding or matter.
``(2) Timing.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall appoint or provide counsel to an unaccompanied child 
under paragraph (1) as expeditiously as possible after the 
earlier of--
``(A) the date on which a Notice to Appear for 
removal proceedings is issued to the unaccompanied 
child, regardless of whether the Notice to Appear has 
been filed with an immigration court; or
``(B) the date on which the unaccompanied child is 
placed in the custody of the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services.
``(3) Length of representation.--An unaccompanied child 
shall be represented by counsel under paragraph (1) at every 
stage of the proceedings, beginning with the unaccompanied 
child's initial appearance before an official with adjudicatory 
authority in removal proceedings or in related matters before 
the Department of Homeland Security or a State court, through 
the termination of immigration proceedings and resolution of 
any related matter before the Department of Homeland Security 
or a State court, even if the child attains 18 years of age or 
is reunified with a parent or legal guardian while the 
proceedings are pending.
``(4) Continuity in representation.--If counsel retained by 
an unaccompanied child at his or her own expense ceases 
representing the child for any reason, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services shall ensure continued representation of the 
child by appointing or providing new counsel as expeditiously 
as possible.
``(5) Notice.--Not later than 72 hours after an 
unaccompanied child is taken into Federal custody, the child 
shall be notified that he or she will be provided with legal 
counsel in accordance with this subsection.
``(6) Within detention facilities.--The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall ensure that unaccompanied children have 
access to counsel inside all detention, holding, and border 
facilities.
``(c) Pro Bono Representation.--
``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make every effort 
to use the services of competent counsel who agree to provide 
representation to such children under subsection (b) without 
charge to the child.
``(2) Development of necessary infrastructures and 
systems.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
establish the necessary infrastructure and systems for the 
appropriate identification, recruitment, training, and 
oversight of counsel available to provide assistance and 
representation to unaccompanied children under subsection (b) 
without charge to the child.
``(d) Model Guidelines on Legal Representation of Children.--
``(1) Development of guidelines.--The Director of the 
Office of Refugee Resettlement, in consultation with the 
Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, and nongovernmental 
stakeholders with relevant expertise in providing immigration-
related legal services to children, shall develop model 
guidelines for the legal representation of unaccompanied 
children in immigration proceedings, which shall be based on--
``(A) the 2018 report of the American Bar 
Association entitled `Standards for the Custody, 
Placement and Care; Legal Representation; and 
Adjudication of Unaccompanied Alien Children in the 
United States';
``(B) the American Bar Association Model Rules of 
Professional Conduct; and
``(C) any other source the Director of the Office 
of Refugee Resettlement considers appropriate.
``(2) Purpose of guidelines.--The guidelines developed 
under paragraph (1) shall be designed to help protect each 
child from any individual suspected of involvement in any 
criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity associated with the 
smuggling or trafficking of children, while ensuring the 
fairness of the immigration proceeding in which the child is 
involved.
``(e) Duties of Counsel.--The duties of counsel appointed or 
provided under this section shall include--
``(1) representing the unaccompanied alien child 
concerned--
``(A) in all proceedings and matters relating to 
the immigration status of the child; and
``(B) with respect to any other action involving 
the Department of Homeland Security;
``(2) appearing in person for each of the child's--
``(A) individual merits hearings and master 
calendar hearings before the Executive Office for 
Immigration Review; and
``(B) interviews involving the Department of 
Homeland Security;
``(3) owing the same duties of undivided loyalty, 
confidentiality, and competent representation to the child as 
is due to an adult client;
``(4) advocating for the child's legal interests, as 
directed by the child's express wishes;
``(5) in the case of a child who does not express the 
objectives of representation, or is found incompetent, 
referring the child for the appointment of an independent child 
advocate, as described in section 235(c)(6) of the William 
Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 
of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(6)); and
``(6) carrying out other such duties as may be prescribed 
by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Director 
of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
``(f) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to supersede--
``(1) any duties, responsibilities, disciplinary, or 
ethical responsibilities an attorney may have to his or her 
client under State law;
``(2) the admission requirements under State law; or
``(3) any other State law pertaining to the admission to 
the practice of law in a particular jurisdiction.''.
(2) Rulemaking.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall promulgate regulations to implement section 292 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by paragraph (1), in 
accordance with the requirements set forth in section 3006A of 
title 18, United States Code.

SEC. 5. ACCESS BY COUNSEL TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 
FACILITIES.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide access to counsel 
for all noncitizens detained in--
(1) a facility under the supervision of U.S. Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection; 
or
(2) a private facility that contracts with the Department 
of Homeland Security to house, detain, or hold noncitizens.

SEC. 6. REPORT ON ACCESS TO COUNSEL.

(a) Report.--Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney 
General, shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on the 
Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House 
of Representatives regarding the extent to which the Secretary has 
provided counsel for unaccompanied children as described in subsection 
(b) of section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended 
by section 4(c).
(b) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (a) shall 
include, for the immediately preceding 1-year period--
(1) the number and percentage of unaccompanied children 
described in subsection (b) of section 292 of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act, as amended by section 4(c), who were 
represented by counsel, including information specifying--
(A) the stage of the legal process at which 
representation of each such child commenced;
(B) whether each such child was in government 
custody on the date on which such representation 
commenced; and
(C) the nationality and ages of such children;
(2) the number and percentage of children who received Know 
Your Rights presentations or legal screenings, including the 
nationality and ages of such children; and
(3) a description of the mechanisms used under subsection 
(b) of section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as 
added by section 4(c), for identifying, recruiting, and 
training pro bono counsel to represent unaccompanied children.

SEC. 7. MOTIONS TO REOPEN.

Section 240(c)(7)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1229a(c)(7)(C)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(v) Special rule for unaccompanied 
children entitled to appointment of counsel.--
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
fails to appoint or provide counsel for an 
unaccompanied child under section 292(b)--
``(I) the limitations under this 
paragraph with respect to the filing of 
a motion to reopen by such child shall 
not apply; and
``(II) the filing of such a motion 
shall stay the removal of the child.''.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Office of Refugee Resettlement such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out this Act.
(b) Budgetary Effects.--The budgetary effects of this Act, for the 
purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for 
printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate 
Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 
to the vote on passage.
<all>