Access to Counsel Act of 2025

Meaningful consultation opportunities: The Secretary of Homeland Security must ensure covered individuals can consult with counsel or an interested party during the inspection process (Section 2, subsection a, 1). This provides individuals with professional guidance during inspections.

Timely access to assistance: Individuals are guaranteed a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel or an interested party no later than 1 hour after the secondary inspection process starts (Section 2, subsection a, 2, A).

Advocacy rights: Counsel and interested parties are permitted to advocate for the individual by providing information, documentation, and evidence to the examining immigration officer (Section 2, subsection a, 2, B).

In-person accessibility: The bill requires the government, to the greatest extent practicable, to accommodate requests for counsel or an interested party to appear in person at secondary or deferred inspection sites (Section 2, subsection a, 2, C).

Protection for Lawful Permanent Residents: The Secretary may not accept a Form I-407 Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status without first providing the individual a meaningful opportunity to seek advice from counsel (Section 2, subsection a, 3, A).