A Democratic bill with 27 Democratic cosponsors · See all 28 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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
The "Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025" aims to provide legal counsel to unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. It mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services appoint or provide counsel for these children at government expense. The bill also establishes requirements for noncitizens to receive their immigration files and provides time to review them. It further outlines the duties of counsel and ensures access to counsel within detention and holding facilities. Additionally, the act includes a special rule for motions to reopen if the government fails to provide counsel.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +10
Would children be better off under this?
The bill specifically protects unaccompanied children by providing them with legal counsel and procedural rights.
- Scored +9
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill significantly improves due process by guaranteeing legal counsel and document access for unaccompanied children.
- Scored +8
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill provides substantial legal protections and access to counsel for noncitizen unaccompanied children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Children: The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to appoint or provide counsel for unaccompanied children at government expense to represent them in removal proceedings, appeals, and related matters (Section 4(c)(b)).
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Access to Information: Noncitizens or their counsel are entitled to receive a complete copy of their immigration file (A-file) no later than 7 days after receiving a notice to appear (Section 4(b)(1)(C)).
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Time for Document Review: Removal proceedings cannot proceed until a noncitizen has been given at least 10 days to review and assess their required documents, unless they waive this period (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Continuous Support: Counsel will represent the child through every stage of proceedings, even if the child reaches 18 years of age or is reunified with a parent or guardian while proceedings are pending (Section 4(c)(b)(3)).
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Access to Facilities: The Secretary of Homeland Security must ensure that unaccompanied children have access to counsel inside all detention, holding, and border facilities (Section 4(c)(b)(6)).
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Protection for Detained Noncitizens: Counsel is provided access to all noncitizens detained in facilities supervised by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or contracted private facilities (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Procedural Delays in Removal Proceedings: A removal proceeding may not proceed until the noncitizen or their counsel has received the required documents and had the allotted time to review them (Section 4(b)(2)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill significantly improves due process by guaranteeing legal counsel and document access for unaccompanied children. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enhances transparency by requiring noncitizens to receive their immigration files and providing time for review. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal responsibilities by mandating the appointment of counsel for unaccompanied children.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill specifically protects unaccompanied children by providing them with legal counsel and procedural rights. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill provides substantial legal protections and access to counsel for noncitizen unaccompanied children.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — While not establishing a direct path to citizenship, it provides legal support to help noncitizens navigate their legal status.
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 26 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts