Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026
In committee: it can still change before the session ends.
- Stage
- In committee
- Started in
- Senate
- Sponsors
- +7
- Latest action
- Jul 22
Where it stands
Introduced (Done)
Committee (Current step)
Floor (Not started)
Law (Not started)
What it does
The Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026 would establish the United States Immigration Courts as an independent Article I court system, separate from the executive branch, to handle immigration cases. It would create a structured judiciary with an appellate division (21 judges appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, serving 15-year terms), a trial division (judges appointed by the appellate division), and an administrative division, all overseen by a chief judge selected by seniority and eligibility criteria. The bill affects immigration proceedings by transferring jurisdiction to this new court system and establishing rules for judicial appointments, terms, removals, and administrative operations, including rulemaking and budget oversight.
AI summary · The lawmakers haven’t published an official summary of this bill yet, so 52 wrote this one from the bill’s text.
What moved
Who is involved
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]Lead sponsor
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]Co-sponsor
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]Co-sponsor
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]Co-sponsor
- Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]Co-sponsor
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]Co-sponsor
Sponsors
The lawmakers who put their names on it, lead sponsors first.
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
- Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
In the news
Reporting that may mention this subject. Possible matches are labeled.
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Work with this bill
Where it goes next
While a bill can still move, the questions are about people and money.
- Who sits in the seats that vote on itA roster is not a certified tally, and a filing is not a place on the ballot.
- Who funds the people decidingA receipt is not backing. A contribution does not establish a policy motive.
- Who is paid to be heardNaming an institution is the filer's account, not a record of any meeting.
- Bills still moving in CongressNewest first, the ones that can still change