Fairness to Freedom Act of 2023
The Fairness to Freedom Act of 2023 guarantees the right to government-funded legal counsel for immigrants in removal, deportation, and related proceedings who cannot afford representation. It requires the government to appoint counsel at the earliest possible stage (within 24 hours for detained individuals), provide access to all relevant government documents, and ensure continuous representation through all stages of immigration proceedings. The bill establishes an Office of Immigration Representation with a Board of Directors and local representation boards to oversee implementation, set standards for counsel quality, and ensure adequate funding based on a specified prosecution-defense ratio. This legislation directly affects all immigrants facing immigration proceedings who are financially unable to afford representation, guaranteeing them legal assistance that was previously unavailable in many cases.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Apr 18, 2023
Last action Apr 18, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 18, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Apr 18, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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