Research & Publications
Access in-depth resources and analysis published by the ACLU regarding our most pressing civil liberties issues.
All Publications
Search will open in a new tab using DuckDuckGo
Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers
Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers, an ACLU research report produced in collaboration with the Global Human Rights Clinic of the University of Chicago Law School, examines the use of prison labor throughout state and federal prisons in the U.S. Bringing together interviews and surveys of incarcerated workers, analysis of government data, desk research, and policy review, this comprehensive report documents the harsh conditions and unfair practices, highlighting how incarcerated workers’ labor helps maintain prisons and provides vital public services. The report also includes a focus on prison labor during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report calls for far-reaching reforms to ensure prison labor is truly voluntary and that incarcerated workers are paid fairly, properly trained, and able to gain transferable skills. These calls are accompanied by concrete recommendations for federal, state, and local stakeholders to improve these conditions and ensure that prison systems treat incarcerated workers with dignity and respect.
Learn more about the report | Read the stories of incarcerated workers
No Fighting Chance: ICE's Denial of Access to Counsel in U.S. Immigration Detention Centers
This ACLU research report, No Fighting Chance: ICE’s Denial of Access to Counsel in U.S. Immigration Detention Centers, provides the first comprehensive study of the barriers to access to counsel in U.S. immigration detention centers nationwide. Based on attorney surveys and calls to all immigration detention facilities nationwide, this report documents how ICE has systematically restricted the most basic modes of communication that detained people need to connect with legal counsel and the outside world. The report documents the many barriers that detained people face to communicate with counsel via telephone, video calls, mail, and in-person visits. It concludes with key recommendations for Congress and DHS to address these issues, and the crisis of detention more broadly.
No Eviction Without Representation
Tenants’ right to legal representation in eviction cases is a civil liberties issue, a gender justice, racial justice, and economic justice issue. As part of the ACLU’s housing justice work, this Research Brief, No Eviction Without Representation: Evictions’ Disproportionate Harms and the Promise of Right to Counsel, written in partnership with the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, provides an overview of the devastating consequences of eviction and considers evidence on providing legal representation as a way to reduce evictions and mitigate these harms. Drawing from existing research and evaluation studies of these programs, this Brief presents research that documents the benefits of having access to counsel in eviction cases for families and communities. The Brief concludes with recommendations calling on federal, state, and local governments to support a right to counsel for renters facing eviction and further housing justice.
License to Abuse: How ICE’s 287(g) Program Empowers Racist Sheriffs
This ACLU research report, License to Abuse: How ICE’s 287(g) Program Empowers Racist Sheriffs and Civil Rights Violations, examines the records of sheriff offices and other law enforcement agencies that participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 287(g) program. This comprehensive review revealed that racial profiling, poor jail conditions and other civil rights violations are widespread among the 142 state and local law enforcement agencies ICE describes as participants in the 287(g) program as of April 2022. With strong recommendations for federal, state and local governments, this report investigates the unjust impacts of the 287(g) program and ways for the government to remedy the harm.
ACLU 2021 Annual Report
The ACLU’s 2021 annual report shares how the organization fought back against this year’s barrage of state legislation aimed at suppressing the vote, banning abortion, restricting transgender rights, and more. The report celebrates major victories, including the ACLU’s Supreme Court win protecting the free speech rights of 50 million public school students, and reflects on key moments throughout the organization’s history, such as Tinker v. Des Moines—the landmark student speech case that set the precedent for this year’s win. There are also inspiring stories of families within the ACLU community who are empowering the next generation of activists.
To download a more print-friendly spreads layout, click here.
ACLU Magazine
Published twice a year, ACLU Magazine shares updates on the ACLU’s critical litigation and advocacy work across the country and tells the stories of the activists, attorneys, and clients at the heart of each case and campaign. To receive ACLU Magazine by mail, become a monthly donor today.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.