SHIELD Act

This bill would set up a national grant program at the Department of Justice to grow and strengthen immigration legal-help services for people in deportation cases. The Office of Access to Justice would award competitive grants to states, local governments, community groups, nonprofits, and schools to hire and train staff, build programs, and expand access to lawyers and other helpers, especially in places with big unmet needs . Many people in these cases have no lawyer today, and having one can improve outcomes and help keep families together .

Grant money could pay for recruiting and training lawyers, accredited representatives, social workers, and community navigators; technical and language training; help with complex cases; leadership development; regional coordination; staff-retention and burnout support; diversity efforts; and basic office and technology needs. Grantees could also pass funds to partner groups. Each grant would last four years (renewable), must add to—not replace—other funding, and the program would be run separately from immigration enforcement priorities. Reports and audits are required to track results and prevent waste .

• Who is affected: People facing deportation, plus states, local governments, community nonprofits, and schools that provide or build immigration legal services.
• What changes: New federal grants to expand access to representation and build long-term, language-appropriate, holistic services, with a focus on underserved areas .
• When and how much: Authorizes $100 million each year for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• Grant length: 4-year grants, with a chance to renew; funds must supplement, not replace, other dollars.
• Oversight: Yearly grantee reports and federal audits; added rules for nonprofits to prevent misuse of funds.