H.R. 1006House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

To clarify the rights of all persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Introduced February 13, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:41 PM UTC

The bill expands and clarifies the legal rights of anyone held or detained at a U.S. port of entry or in a detention center run by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It guarantees the right to choose and have a lawyer at no cost, requires agencies to let lawyers communicate remotely within the first hour of detention, and sets basic standards for how long and under what conditions people can be held. The changes affect all non‑citizens and lawful permanent residents who are subject to removal, exclusion, or other immigration proceedings.

Key Provisions

  • Amends immigration law to state that anyone in removal, exclusion, deportation or inspection proceedings has the right to be represented by a lawyer of their choice, free of government expense.
  • If a detainee cannot meet a lawyer in person, CBP or ICE must provide a way for the lawyer to communicate remotely within the first hour of detention and thereafter, regardless of when detention began.
  • A detainee cannot sign a form giving up lawful permanent‑resident status or withdrawing an admission application if they were denied access to counsel as required by this bill.
  • Defines “inspection” to exclude primary inspection and clarifies that the term “person” follows existing immigration definitions.
  • Adds the right to be accompanied or advised by counsel to other federal statutes covering similar proceedings.
  • Limits detention to the shortest time and least restrictive conditions possible, while ensuring access to food, water and restroom facilities.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

February 24, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 13, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.

February 13, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

February 13, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1161)

February 14, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

February 24, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 1006 on the floor

1 Democrat
Pramila Jayapal
Rep. Pramila JayapalD-WA-7 · Feb 14, 2017

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced my first bill, H.R. 1006, the Access to Counsel Act; and it was a great pleasure to work with my colleague in the Senate, Senator Kamala Harris, who introduced…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 13, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1006

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 13, 2017

Ms. Jayapal (for herself, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Gutiérrez, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Swalwell of California, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mrs. Torres, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Velázquez, Mrs. Napolitano, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Langevin, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Norton, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Ellison, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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 clarify the rights of all persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

1.

Clarification of right to counsel

(a)

Right to counsel in immigration proceedings

Section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362) is amended to read as follows:

292.

Right to counsel

(a)

In general

In any removal, exclusion, deportation proceeding, or inspection under section 235(a), 235(b), 236, 238, 240, or 241, the person subject to such proceeding shall be entitled to representation (at no expense to the Government) by such authorized counsel as the person may choose.

(b)

Redress options

If counsel cannot personally meet with a person subject to holding, detention, or inspection at a port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as appropriate, shall provide redress options through which counsel may communicate remotely with the held or detained person during the first hour and thereafter of such holding or detention, regardless of the day or time when such holding or detention began.

(c)

Record of abandonment of lawful permanent resident status or withdrawal of application for admission

A person held or detained at a port of entry may not submit a valid Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status or Withdrawal of Application for Admission if such person has been denied access to counsel in accordance with this section.

(d)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Inspection

The term inspection does not include primary inspection (as defined in the policies of the Department of Homeland Security).

(2)

Person

The term person has the meaning given the term in section 101(b)(3).

.

(b)

Right to counsel or representation

Section 555(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The right to be accompanied, represented, and advised by counsel or other qualified representative under this subsection shall extend to any person subject to a proceeding, examination, holding, or detention described in section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362)..

(c)

Savings provision

Nothing in this section, or in any amendment made by this section, may be construed to limit any preexisting right to counsel under section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, or under any other law.

2.

Treatment of individuals held or detained at ports of entry or any CBP or ICE detention facility

(a)

In general

The holding or detention of individuals at a port of entry or at any holding or detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—

(1)

shall be limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable and consistent with the rationale for such holding or detention; and

(2)

shall include access to food, water, and restroom facilities.

(b)

Savings provision

Nothing in this Section may be construed to limit agencies from complying with other legal authorities, policies, or standards with respect to treatment of individuals held or detained at ports of entry or at any holding or detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.