This legislation makes sure people held for extra screening at a U.S. port of entry or at a Customs and Border Protection facility can quickly get help from a lawyer and a trusted person. It requires the government to give a real chance to consult a lawyer and an “interested party” (like a relative, a visa sponsor, or another person or group in the U.S. with a real connection to you) within one hour after extra screening starts, and as needed during the process, including during any deferred inspection. Phone calls must be allowed, these helpers can share evidence with officers, and in-person visits should be accommodated when possible . It also says this does not reduce any other existing right to a lawyer under immigration law or court orders.

Special protection for green card holders: officers may not accept a form that gives up permanent resident status unless the person first gets a real chance to talk to a lawyer, unless they knowingly and voluntarily waive that chance in writing.

• Who is covered: U.S. nationals; returning green card holders; people with valid immigrant or nonimmigrant visas; refugees; returning asylees; and people approved for parole, including those with advance parole .
• What changes: Access to a lawyer and a trusted person within one hour of the start of extra screening, ongoing help during screening, ability for them to share information with officers, and efforts to allow in‑person support.
• When it starts: 180 days after the bill becomes law.