The FAIR Act requires immigration detention centers to provide detainees with access to congressional constituent services—assistance that members of Congress and their offices typically provide to constituents. Under this bill, detained immigrants must be informed within 24 hours of arrival about their right to contact their congressional representative, given access to necessary forms and the facility's law library, and provided printing, copying, and email privileges to communicate with their congressional office or legal representatives. Detention centers must notify the relevant congressional office within seven days when a detainee requests these services and allow interpreters to help non-English speakers complete and file complaints. If a detention center fails to provide these services within 30 days, detainees can file complaints through the facility's grievance process or pursue civil lawsuits in federal court. The Department of Homeland Security must issue regulations implementing these requirements within 180 days and notify all detention facilities within 270 days, with the full law taking effect 90 days after enactment.
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