The Fairness to Freedom Act will establish a right to representation in removal proceedings, at government expense, for people who can’t afford it. To ensure this right is meaningful, the act will:

• ensure early, continuous, full-scope representation;
• enable representatives to provide high quality, holistic representation;
• require the government to facilitate access to counsel for people in its custody;
• establish an independent Office of Immigration Representation to ensure high-quality, universal representation;
• work with existing state and locally funded removal defense programs to provide universal representation; and
• ensure representation for people facing removal at the border.

The SHIELD Act will create a grant program to support the recruitment and retention of a legal services workforce to meet the needs of people facing deportation. The act will:

• support state and local programs’ capacity to provide high-quality, holistic, and linguistically appropriate legal services;
• provide four-year renewable competitive grants to state and local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions; and
• prioritize program sustainability and focus on underserved areas.