Access to Counsel Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Access to Counsel Act.

Thousands of immigrants lawfully come to our country, come through our ports of entry, daily. They come in order to reunite with families, in order to receive lifesaving medical help, in order to pursue their educational dreams. They come because they are allowed to come, and they come for really good purposes.

When they arrive, all too often they are subjected to grueling inspections and relentless questioning by our Customs and Border Patrol agents, and often they have no help to turn to.

H.R. 1573 will ensure that these individuals can communicate with a family member, an attorney, or other party who can help them navigate what is going on at the port of entry if they are held over an hour.

This is important. We are not saying that there shouldn't be any inspections whatsoever, that there shouldn't be any questioning. But sometimes people have been held up to 30 hours without any access to help. It is not right.

This is critical to ensuring that immigrants are treated fairly and with dignity.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Access to Counsel Act and to support due process for all.

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