Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026

IntroducedMarch 5, 2026

Introduced8 months ago

Intro

House

Senate

Pres

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Immigration

Why This Matters

This bill creates an independent federal court system called the United States Immigration Courts. It moves immigration trials and appeals out of the executive branch and sets up its structure, judges, and procedures.

Who this affects

people in removal cases · asylum seekers · immigration judges · attorneys

What changes is this bill making?

1Adds a new Title VI to the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) to establish the United States Immigration Courts as independent Article I courts.
2Organizes the courts into three divisions: an appellate division of 21 appeals judges, a trial division of immigration trial judges, and an administrative division with a council and office.
3Sets 15-year terms for immigration appeals judges appointed by the President with Senate consent, and similar terms for trial judges appointed by the appellate division.
4Defines the courts’ jurisdiction over removal proceedings, asylum and protection claims, bond and detention decisions, and appeals of DHS (Department of Homeland Security) classifications.
5Transfers functions, staff, cases, and appropriations from the EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review) to the new courts, with transition rules for existing immigration judges.
6Requires the courts to adopt practice rules, collect reasonable fees, hire staff, set their own budget, and submit annual reports on workload and case outcomes.
7Mandates a review of court operations by the Judicial Conference of the United States at least every four years.

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