A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 10943, known as the Counsel for Kids Act of 2026, was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 29, 2026. This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and the Immigration and Nationality Act. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide in-person legal counsel at no cost to certain unaccompanied alien children in immigration proceedings. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to protect these children from mistreatment, exploitation, and trafficking. Finally, the legislation removes the requirement that legal representation in certain immigration proceedings be at no expense to the government.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill explicitly mandates free legal representation and protection from exploitation for unaccompanied alien children.
- Scored +7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The legislation ensures unaccompanied alien children receive necessary legal representation and protections during immigration proceedings.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Ensuring in-person legal counsel for unaccompanied alien children directly enhances their right to fair treatment in immigration proceedings.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that unaccompanied alien children receive in-person legal counsel from an independent third party at no cost in all immigration proceedings, which directly benefits these children by providing them with free legal representation.
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Section 2 also directs the Secretary to protect unaccompanied alien children from mistreatment, exploitation, and trafficking, which provides a clear safeguard for the well-being of these individuals.
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Section 3 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act by striking the phrases that state legal representation must be at no expense to the government, which removes the statutory barrier preventing government-funded legal representation in those specific immigration contexts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill explicitly mandates free legal representation and protection from exploitation for unaccompanied alien children. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The legislation ensures unaccompanied alien children receive necessary legal representation and protections during immigration proceedings. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By covering the costs of legal counsel for unaccompanied children, the bill relieves low-income families and guardians of significant financial burdens.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Ensuring in-person legal counsel for unaccompanied alien children directly enhances their right to fair treatment in immigration proceedings. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation expands federal responsibilities by directing HHS to provide and fund legal counsel for unaccompanied alien children.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill provides free legal counsel and protections for unaccompanied alien children in immigration proceedings. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Providing government-funded legal representation relieves vulnerable children of legal costs during immigration proceedings.
- 10/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House