WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

The law › Title 8, Aliens and Nationality › Chapter 12

8 U.S.C. 1362: Right to counsel

Created in 1996 by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Public Law 104-208). Not changed since. 2 bills in this Congress would change it.

This Congress

  • H.R. 9259 Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 · introduced · would change the section as a whole
  • H.R. 3127 Fairness to Freedom Act of 2025 · introduced · would change the section as a whole

How it got here

1996

  • Pub. L. 104–208, §371(b)(9), substituted "an immigration judge" for "a special inquiry officer". (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) Law text
  • Pub. L. 104–208, §308(d)(4)(O), substituted "removal" for "exclusion or deportation" in two places. (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) Law text

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.