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A California U.S. senator wants to ensure that anyone in the nation facing potential deportation is entitled to legal representation
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Last week, that would guarantee the right to legal representation for all people in deportation or legal immigration proceedings if they are unable to afford it. Similar bills have been put forth in years past, but the legislation now has added importance under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
Research consistently finds that legal representation is crucial to improving an individual’s chances of applying for relief and winning their immigration case. Immigrants with legal counsel were 5.5 times more likely to obtain relief from deportation, according to one UCLA School of Law study.
“President Trump’s cruel immigration agenda has caused unimaginable, long-lasting harm in our communities, leading to unlawful deportations that have torn thousands of families apart,” Schiff said in a statement. “Having access to legal counsel during immigration proceedings is essential to fair outcomes, yet beyond the reach of many.”
Identical legislation to Schiff’s has been introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, who has led previous efforts to establish “universal representation” for immigrants. Legal representation in fiscal year 2026 immigration court proceedings is at the lowest level since 2010, according to Austin Kocher, a research professor at Syracuse University who analyzes immigration data.
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“Access to legal representation is easily one of the most important factors in whether immigrants facing deportation get a fair hearing,” Kocher said in a statement.
Schiff’s bill would establish an Office of Immigration Representation and provide counsel for immigrants in several types of situations including bond hearings, state court proceedings and those seeking temporary protected status.
The legislation follows a similar statewide attempt proposed by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, earlier this year. AB 2600 would create a program to provide legal counsel to Californians facing deportation proceedings and give priority to people held in detention facilities.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law also authored by Bonta that expanded access to legal representation for immigrant youth.
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