1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access to Counsel Act of 2023 . 2. Access to counsel and other assistance at ports of entry and during deferred inspection (a) Access to counsel and other assistance during inspection Section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1225 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (e) Access to counsel and other assistance during inspection at ports of entry and during deferred inspection (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that each covered individual has a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and an interested party during the inspection process. (2) Scope of assistance The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (A) provide each covered individual with a meaningful opportunity to consult (including consultation by telephone) with counsel and an interested party not later than 1 hour after the secondary inspection process commences and as necessary throughout the remainder of the inspection process, including, as applicable, during deferred inspection; (B) allow counsel and an interested party to advocate on behalf of the covered individual, including by providing to the examining immigration officer information, documentation, and other evidence in support of the covered individual