# The SHIELD Act: Funding Legal Help for People Facing Deportation

The SHIELD Act would provide federal money to help states, cities, and organizations hire and train lawyers and support staff to represent immigrants facing deportation. Right now, unlike in criminal court, people going through deportation proceedings don't have a guaranteed right to a government-paid lawyer, even if they can't afford one. This bill aims to change that by funding the infrastructure needed to expand legal representation.

The bill recognizes a significant problem: about 80 percent of people in immigration detention cases have no lawyer to help them navigate the complex legal system against government prosecutors. According to the bill, having a lawyer makes a huge difference—detained immigrants with attorneys are 3.5 times more likely to be released on bond, and people in detention with representation are up to 10.5 times more likely to avoid deportation than those without one. For people not in detention, 60 percent with lawyers win their cases compared to just 17 percent without legal help. The consequences of losing are severe: people can lose their freedom, their legal status, their jobs, and be separated from their families.

The bill would distribute $100 million per year (for 2026 and 2027) to eligible organizations—including state and local governments that already fund deportation defense programs, nonprofits, and educational institutions. These grants could be used to recruit and train lawyers, paralegals, social workers, and community navigators; provide technical training to improve legal services; help organizations manage caseloads and prevent burnout; and build legal services infrastructure in areas where it's currently lacking. Grant recipients would need to report annually on how many people they helped and what outcomes they achieved.