Some people stopped for extra immigration screening could talk with a lawyer within one hour. Green card holders would get legal help before giving up their status, unless they clearly waive that chance in writing.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Access to Counsel Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Latest action on H.R. 944: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people pulled aside for extra immigration screening at U.S. entry points. Green card holders, visa holders, refugees, returning asylees, certain parolees, and U.S. nationals would get clearer access to legal help. It also affects lawyers, accredited immigration representatives, relatives, sponsors, and connected organizations that may help during inspection. DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection would need procedures, training, and staffing to make this access work.
Why this matters: Extra border screening can affect whether someone enters the United States or keeps their immigration status. This bill could help people understand questions, forms, and choices before they make serious decisions. It matters most for green card holders and others with complex status, because one signed form or misunderstood answer can have lasting effects. The bill could also change workloads at ports of entry, but the exact impact would depend on how many people ask for help and how DHS carries out the rules.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
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Officially: Access to Counsel Act
Some people stopped for extra immigration screening could talk with a lawyer within one hour. Green card holders would get legal help before giving up their status, unless they clearly waive that chance in writing.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR944. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (2/4/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Access to Counsel Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR944, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
