Access to Counsel Act of 2021
Sponsor: Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
This bill provides various protections for covered individuals subject to secondary or deferred inspections when seeking admission into the United States. Covered individuals include U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, aliens in possession of a visa, returning asylees, and refugees. The Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that a covered individual subject to secondary or deferred inspection has a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and certain related parties, such as a relative, within an hour of the start of the secondary inspection and as necessary during the inspection process.
Immigration Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.
Who won, and how much of the country was behind them
The dotted gap is 2.5% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.
| Side | Outcome | Votes | Share of U.S. adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yea | Won | 217 | 49.6% |
| Nay | Lost | 207 | 47.9% |
| Not represented on this question | No position taken | 0 | 2.5% |