H.R. 1573Access to Counsel Act of 2021

2 recorded actions229 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Pramila Jayapal [D-WA-07]
Cosponsors: 49 · 49 Democrats
Policy area: Immigration
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Apr 22, 2021 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

IntroducedMar 3, 2021
Passed the HouseApr 21, 2021
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Access to Counsel Act of 2021

This bill provides various protections for covered individuals subject to secondary or deferred inspections when seeking admission into the United States. Covered individuals include U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, aliens in possession of a visa, returning asylees, and refugees.

The Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that a covered individual subject to secondary or deferred inspection has a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and certain related parties, such as a relative, within an hour of the start of the secondary inspection and as necessary during the inspection process. The counsel and related party shall be allowed to advocate on behalf of the covered individual, including by providing evidence and information to the examining immigration officer.

A lawful permanent resident subject to secondary or deferred inspection may not abandon lawful permanent resident status until the individual has had a meaningful opportunity to seek advice from counsel, unless the individual voluntarily and knowingly waives in writing this opportunity to seek counsel's advice.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 1573 as passed House on Apr 21, 2021. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on H.R. 15732 roll calls on this measure

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Apr 21, 2021Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveApr 21, 2021

How every member votedHouse roll call 129

House Apr 21, 2021 · the primary vote

On Passage

Access to Counsel Act

Passed

217 Yea 207 Nay 5 not voting

Party-line vote No voting member broke with their own party.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members429 members

Democratic217 members

Republican212 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors49 · 49 Democrats

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 1573 and vote against it. 0 signed when it was filed.

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H.R. 1573Access to Counsel Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 15732 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 129

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors49 · 49 Democrats

H.R. 1573Access to Counsel Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 15732 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 129

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors49 · 49 Democrats

Who lobbied on H.R. 15736 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 15736 organizations