Bill would give certain travelers the right to call a lawyer during border screening

What does this do?

Senate Bill 391 would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to offer certain travelers the opportunity to contact a lawyer or a trusted person within one hour of secondary inspection beginning. That lawyer or contact could share documents and speak on the traveler's behalf during screening. The bill does not provide a government-appointed lawyer at no cost, only the right to contact one the traveler arranges.

Who does it affect?

The bill covers U.S. citizens, green card holders returning from abroad, people with valid visas, refugees, asylees, and people approved for parole into the country. CBP officers would also be directly affected, as they would be required to follow the new procedures.

Why does it matter?

Green card holders could not be asked to sign away their permanent resident status during screening unless they first spoke with a lawyer or voluntarily waived that step in writing. Travelers in the covered categories who are sent to secondary inspection would gain a procedural right they do not currently have under existing law.

Where does it stand?