Access to Counsel Act would safeguard rights previously threatened by Trump administration’s 2017 Muslim ban
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper reintroduced the Access to Counsel Act, which would ensure U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can access legal counsel if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour.
“Access to a lawyer is one of the core tenets of our democracy,” said Hickenlooper. “Our justice system is about equality before the law, not letting politics strip people of their rights.”
Specifically, the Access to Counsel Act would:
- Allow individuals who have legal status in the U.S. and are held by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour access to legal counsel and contact with a family member, sponsor, or organization with a connection to the individual.
- Give counsel the ability to advocate on behalf of the individual by providing information or documentation in their support.
- Block efforts by CBP to persuade someone to relinquish their legal status if that person has been denied access to counsel.
This legislation was originally introduced in response to the Trump administration’s Muslim ban in 2017 that led to individuals being detained at airports and denied contact with legal counsel and family members.
In addition to the Access to Counsel Act, Hickenlooper cosponsors the NO BAN Act, which protects against discriminatory immigration bans like those President Trump implemented during his first term.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
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