PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A group of Oregon lawmakers are introducing a bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security to allow noncitizen detainees the ability to contact legal counsel and their families.

Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) is co-leading the bicameral legislation with Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) On Monday, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced they are co-sponsoring the bill.

The lawmakers said the Restoring Access to Detainees Act comes after reporting that agencies under DHS – including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol – have deprived families, children and longtime residents the ability to access a lawyer, “sometimes for months at a time.

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