CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026

H.R. 9259 · House bill Immigration

A Democratic bill with 34 Democratic cosponsors · See all 34 cosponsors

Last activity — 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.

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

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026, aims to provide government-funded legal counsel for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint or provide lawyers for these children as expeditiously as possible. The legislation also grants children and their lawyers access to their immigration files and mandates at least 10 days to review them before removal proceedings can proceed. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that lawyers have access to clients inside all detention, holding, and border facilities. Finally, the measure establishes annual reporting requirements regarding how many children receive legal representation and authorizes necessary appropriations to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Yes· 3 of 9

  • Scored +10

    Would children be better off under this?

    Specifically guarantees government-funded legal counsel for unaccompanied children.

  • Scored +9

    Would immigrants be better off under this?

    Provides critical legal protections and representation for noncitizens, especially children.

  • Scored +8

    Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?

    Ensures legal representation and document review periods for children in immigration courts.

The opposite

  • Scored -5

    Does this reduce what the federal government spends?

    The bill mandates government-funded legal representation for unaccompanied children.

  • Scored -3

    Does this reduce what the federal government owes?

    The bill authorizes necessary appropriations for counsel, which increases government spending.

  • Scored -3

    Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?

    Authorizing 'such sums as may be necessary' suggests an open-ended spending commitment.