Sec. 200. Sense of Congress regarding access to counsel
159 words·~1 min read·
/bill/116/hr/4928/ih/section-200·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that— immigration law is so complex that it is nearly impossible and therefore unjust for individuals to navigate the immigration system without legal assistance or represent themselves in immigration court; noncitizens without legal counsel are far more likely to be denied immigration benefits or be deported, which can result in dire consequences, including the denial of legal status or U.S. citizenship, loss of livelihood, separation from or the inability to support one’s family, life-threatening danger in one’s country of origin and a long-term or permanent ban from being able to re-enter the United States; and consistent with the American values of fairness and justice and the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution which guarantees everyone due process of law, anyone subject to proceedings or the appeal thereof before an immigration judge or the Attorney General should have the right of being represented by counsel, including government-funded counsel, regardless of one’s ability to pay.