Maxine Dexter (D-OR)
Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 28 Democratic cosponsors · See all 28 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026," addresses how immigration laws are enforced regarding unaccompanied alien children. It prohibits the arrest or detention of an alien under 18 without a warrant issued by an immigration judge if they are encountered without a parent or guardian. The Act also bans the use of the military or Department of Defense assets for transporting these children for immigration enforcement, except during natural disasters or weather-related events. Additionally, it establishes requirements to ensure children have the opportunity to consult with a lawyer before signing legal documents.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides specific due process protections and legal counsel opportunities for children under 18 encountered without a guardian.
- Scored +7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill safeguards the rights of unaccompanied minors by requiring judicial warrants for detention and facilitating access to legal representation.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill requires a warrant from an immigration judge for the arrest or detention of unaccompanied minors and ensures access to legal counsel.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection against arrest and detention: An alien under 18 years of age encountered without a parent or guardian cannot be arrested or detained pending a removal decision unless an immigration judge issues a warrant (Section 2(a)).
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Restriction on military involvement: Members of the Armed Forces or Department of Defense contractors cannot be used to transport unaccompanied alien children for immigration enforcement, and Department of Defense vehicles, aircraft, or vessels cannot be used for this purpose (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Ensuring legal counsel: Government agencies are prohibited from inducing or coercing children to sign legal documents regarding their custody or status without a meaningful opportunity to consult confidentially with a lawyer (Section 2(c)).
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Mandatory legal referrals: If a child does not have a lawyer, the government must provide a referral and ensure the child can consult with a legal services provider at the earliest practicable point, but no later than 5 business days after a legal document is presented (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the text provided.
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 provides specific due process protections and legal counsel opportunities for children under 18 encountered without a guardian. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill safeguards the rights of unaccompanied minors by requiring judicial warrants for detention and facilitating access to legal representation. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — By protecting the due process rights of unaccompanied minors, the bill provides specific legal safeguards for a demographic heavily represented in immigration enforcement.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill requires a warrant from an immigration judge for the arrest or detention of unaccompanied minors and ensures access to legal counsel.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill protects the rights of children to consult with lawyers before signing documents that impact their immigration status.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — The bill prohibits the use of Department of Defense personnel and assets for transporting unaccompanied alien children.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- 25 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Sam LiccardoDemocrat · California
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Analilia MejiaDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Nancy PelosiDemocrat · California
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan