Home : Immigrants' Rights

Federal Trial Over Hazleton, PA’s Anti-Immigrant Ordinances Concludes (03/22/2007)
SCRANTON, PA - Trial came to an end today in a federal challenge to prevent the city of Hazleton, PA from implementing harsh anti-immigrant ordinances that are at odds with federal law. The two-week trial revealed that Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and city officials rushed to scapegoat undocumented immigrants for several of the city’s burdens, despite evidence to the contrary.

Santa Fe Immigration Sweep Prompts ACLU Investigation (03/19/2007)
ALBUQUERQUE - In response to recent immigration sweeps in Santa Fe, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico today filed an official request for all records surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in New Mexico.

Trial Begins in Landmark Challenge to Anti-Immigrant Laws in Hazleton, PA (03/12/2007)
SCRANTON, PA - A federal trial began here today in a landmark challenge to local ordinances that seek to punish landlords and employers who do business with undocumented immigrants. Attorneys representing residents and business owners in Hazleton, PA argued that the laws are unconstitutional because they seek to trump federal immigration policy, and would legitimize discrimination against anyone who looks or sounds foreign.

ACLU Challenges Illegal Detention of Immigrant Children Held in Prison-Like Conditions (03/06/2007)
AUSTIN, TX - The American Civil Liberties Union today filed lawsuits on behalf of ten immigrant children, challenging their illegal detention at the T. Don Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas.

Proposed Suffolk County Law Unfairly Criminalizes Day Laborers, NYCLU Testifies (03/06/2007)
NEW YORK- The New York Civil Liberties Union today expressed its firm opposition to an anti-immigrant ordinance under consideration by the Suffolk County legislature, arguing in testimony that the bill criminalizes "standing while Latino" by unfairly targeting day laborers seeking work.

ACLU of Arizona Urges Lake Havasu Council Members to Reject Proposed Anti-Immigrant Ordinance (02/27/2007)
PHOENIX - In a letter sent today to members of the Lake Havasu City Council, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona urged city officials to reject a proposal to impose a citywide, employee-eligibility verification system regarding the hiring of immigrants. According to the ACLU, the proposed ordinance violates the constitutional principle that local government cannot override federal law and will hurt the local economy by imposing financial burdens on local employers.

Virginia's Senate Committees Reject Anti-Immigrant Legislation (02/15/2007)
RICHMOND, VA-The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today welcomed the news that two Senate committees have dispensed with most of the anti-immigrant bills in the Virginia legislature.

Northern Californians Demand End to Citizenship Application Delays (02/08/2007)
SAN FRANCISCO - Civil rights groups filed a class-action lawsuit today against the federal government for its practice of indefinitely delaying citizenship applications in violation of the Constitution and federal statutes and regulations

California Judge Ends 20-Year-Old Deportation Case Against Palestinians (01/30/2007)
LOS ANGELES - In a strong rebuke to the federal government, a Los Angeles immigration judge today ordered an end to deportation proceedings against two members of the so-called "Los Angeles Eight," a group of immigrants who were targeted by the government 20 years ago for engaging in political speech and supporting Palestinian rights.

Civil Rights Groups File Challenge to Anti-Immigrant Ordinance in Texas (12/27/2006)
FARMERS BRANCH, TX – Today, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, along with the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, filed suit in Dallas federal district court on behalf of Farmers Branch residents and landlords challenging the city’s recently adopted anti-immigrant ordinance.

Details of Ohio Sheriff's Immigration Deal Should Be Public, ACLU Says (12/14/2006)
HAMILTON, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed public records requests to uncover details of an agreement between federal immigration officials and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones that grants local police some authority to enforce federal immigration law.