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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont establishes legal representation program and appropriates $1,000,000 for detained immigrants
Last action · January 22, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsor: Leonora Dodge
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont establishes the Legal Representation in Federal Immigration Proceedings Program within the Office of Defender General, providing public-expense legal counsel and support services to detained and covered individuals starting upon passage. The act creates three new permanent positions—a Director and two staff attorneys—and appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund for 2027.
Detained individuals facing federal will receive state-funded attorneys and expert support services at intake, changing public expenditure and legal availability for low-income residents.
- The General Assembly is the state legislature of Vermont responsible for enacting laws and state appropriations. context
- The Office of Defender General provides public defense services throughout Vermont. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Covered individuals subject to federal immigration removal proceedings
Eligible individuals are entitled to state-funded legal representation, expert support, and court cost coverage during removal proceedings if unable to pay without undue hardship.
Office of Defender General
The office receives a $1,000,000 appropriation, houses the new program and Advisory Council, and employs the newly created Director and staff attorney positions.
Vermont taxpayers
Taxpayers fund the $1,000,000 fiscal year 2027 appropriation and any ongoing public-expense legal assistance and per diem compensation.
Key Facts
- The Act appropriates $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Office of Defender General for the program.
- Three new positions are created within the Office of Defender General: one full-time classified Director and two full-time staff attorneys.
- Covered individuals detained for an alleged violation of federal immigration law are entitled to be represented by an attorney and provided necessary services and facilities at public expense if unable to pay without undue hardship.
- Legal representation must begin no later than the time of the covered individual's intake at the detention facility.
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- The Legal Representation in Federal Immigration Proceedings Advisory Council is established with seven members representing various organizations and an individual with lived detention experience.
- The Advisory Council must report annually beginning on or before January 15, 2027, to the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary.
- The Director of the program is authorized to contract with the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project to provide the required legal representation.
- The act takes effect upon passage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for legal representation under this new program?
When does the legal representation begin for a detained individual?
How much funding is allocated for this program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of State-Funded Immigration Defense
Vermont is establishing a dedicated program within the Office of Defender General to provide publicly funded legal counsel to individuals detained in federal immigration proceedings.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz45Current news / social attention level
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