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Congress·In Committee·11 months ago

Ms. Hirono Proposes Bill to Provide Free Lawyers for Unaccompanied Children in Immigration Court

Also known as: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
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Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill would require the government to provide a lawyer for any child who arrives in the U.S. alone and faces a judge in immigration court. Right now, many of these children have to defend themselves because the government is not required to pay for their legal help.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services would be responsible for finding and paying for these lawyers. The lawyers would stay with the child through the entire legal process, even if the child turns 18 while their case is still going on.
  • To help lawyers prepare, the government would have to share the child's full immigration file within seven days of starting the case. A judge could not move forward with the case until the lawyer has had at least 10 days to review those documents.
  • The policy also makes sure children can talk to their lawyers while they are staying in government shelters or border stations. It also requires the government to track and report how many children are actually getting the legal help they need.
  • If a child is ordered to leave the country but was never given a lawyer, this bill would allow them to reopen their case and stay in the U.S. while a judge takes a second look at their situation.
ImmigrationCivil Rights

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Apr 3, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

3 articles
Courthouse News Service·10 months ago

Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore legal aid for undocumented children

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin granted a preliminary injunction against the administration's plan to withdraw funding for legal representation of unaccompanied minors. The court found that the termination of services likely violated federal anti-trafficking statutes.

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New York Times·12 months ago

Trump Administration Halts Funding for Legal Representation of Migrant Children

The administration ended a $200 million contract providing legal services to unaccompanied minors, arguing the government is not obligated to pay for their defense. The move has sparked a legislative counter-offensive to codify the right to counsel for children in immigration court.

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The Lever·3 months ago

Trump Is Poised To Privatize Legal Aid For Migrant Children

An investigation into the administration's overhaul of legal services for unaccompanied minors suggests a shift toward privatization. The ongoing battle in Congress over the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act highlights the divide over whether legal aid should be a guaranteed right or a contract.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1297
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(28)
D: 27I: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.