Immigration: unaccompanied undocumented minors: right to legal counsel.

Assembly Member Bonta's legislation mandates state-provided legal counsel for unaccompanied undocumented minors in California who are either in federal Office of Refugee Resettlement custody or residing with family members or sponsors. The right to representation begins when a minor receives a notice to appear for immigration removal proceedings and extends through all related state court proceedings, federal immigration matters, and subsequent appeals.

The Department of Social Services must contract with either qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or county public defender offices to provide these services. Public defender offices must maintain an immigration unit or contract with immigration attorneys having at least three years of relevant experience. Additionally, attorneys handling these cases must complete four hours of specialized training covering asylum, T-visas, U-visas, and special immigrant juvenile status.

The bill defines eligible minors as individuals under 18 years old who lack lawful immigration status and have no parent or legal guardian available in the United States to provide care and custody. Contracted legal service providers must carry malpractice insurance and indemnify the state against claims arising from their representation. The measure builds upon existing state programs that fund legal services for unaccompanied minors through nonprofit organizations, while expanding the pool of qualified providers to include public defender offices meeting specified requirements.