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Boston (February 27, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today announced the introduction of the Securing Help for Immigrants Through Education and Legal Development (SHIELD) Act, a bill that would strengthen the right to due process by addressing the urgent need for legal representation in immigration proceedings.

Removal can inflict devastating harm on individuals, tearing families apart and exposing individuals to danger and persecution abroad. But immigrants lack the right to government-appointed counsel in immigration proceedings, forcing many to navigate a complex legal system alone. Access to counsel can be life-changing—immigrants with legal representation are less likely to be ordered removed than those without counsel. The SHIELD Act would strengthen access to legal assistance by establishing a grant program to expand and support the recruitment, training, and retention of immigrant legal defenders. Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) reintroduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives this Congress.

“Donald Trump and his administration are violating immigrants’ civil rights through unlawful detentions and removals,” said Senator Markey. “DHS has been detaining immigrants in horrifying conditions and denying them the due process the law requires. In the face of these attacks, immigrants are being forced to defend themselves in court without a lawyer. There are five-year-old children sitting in courtrooms alone – a burden no child should have to face. Access to legal counsel can be life-changing for the immigrant community. We must pass my SHIELD Act, which invests in immigrant legal defenders and ensures immigrants get the legal assistance they need.”

“We’ve seen the unconstitutional, illegal, and terrifying ways the Trump Administration has treated immigrants across this country,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “We need to be doing everything we can to protect our immigrant communities. The SHIELD Act will help strengthen the rights of those who are most vulnerable, protect due process, and give people the tools and resources they need to get a fair day in court.”

“We know, and have consistently witnessed throughout this administration's ongoing attacks on immigrants, that this marginalized population is constantly facing threats to their constitutional rights. Investing in the recruitment and development of legal professionals who can work to defend the rights of our immigrant neighbors will undoubtedly help to protect their rights and hopefully to avoid unnecessary deportations,” said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. “We are incredibly grateful that Massachusetts has already passed funding for the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, which is providing crucial funding to protect the rights of immigrants, and are thankful that Senator Markey is taking action on a national scale to ensure immigrants are protected throughout legal proceedings in a sustainable way.”

“As an Accredited Legal Representative, I witness the profound fear my clients experience when they cannot afford an immigration attorney, knowing their detained loved one’s face near-impossible odds. Our legal professionals are dealing with overwhelming caseloads and insufficient resources. The SHIELD Act is not just policy; for many, it is a life-line and last chance for due process. This bill would allow organizations like Agencia ALPHA to serve our hard-working immigrants with culturally, linguistically and adequate legal resources," said Patricia Sobalvarro, Executive Director of Agencia ALPHA.

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