Immigrants' Rights
Barbara v. Donald J. Trump
President Trump is attempting to undermine the promise of birthright citizenship to children born on U.S. soil. But the ACLU and partners are fighting to protect the rights of citizens that are plainly stated in the Constitution, federal statute, and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court for more than a century. We’re arguing against the Trump administration in the Supreme Court and are confident we will win.
Status: Ongoing
View Case
Learn About Immigrants' Rights
Featured
U.S. Supreme Court
Jan 2022
Immigrants' Rights
Garland v. Gonzalez
Whether the Immigration and Nationality Act requires a bond hearing for immigrants subject to prolonged detention while seeking protection in the U.S. from persecution or torture.
U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 2021
Immigrants' Rights
Innovation Law Lab v. Wolf
The American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s new policy forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico and remain there while their cases are considered.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jun 2020
Immigrants' Rights
Department of Homeland Security v. Vijayakumar Thuraissigiam
Whether immigrants are entitled to seek judicial review of their “expedited removal” orders in federal court.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jan 2020
Immigrants' Rights
International Refugee Assistance Project v. Trump
The American Civil Liberties Union and other partner organizations filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Muslim ban executive order, charging it violates the Constitution — including the First Amendment’s prohibition of government establishment of religion and the Fifth Amendment’s guarantees of equal treatment under the law — and federal laws.
U.S. Supreme Court
Mar 2019
Immigrants' Rights
Nielsen v. Preap
Whether the government can require that certain people are detained for the duration of their deportation proceedings — without a hearing — because they have past criminal records.
Court Case
May 2018
Immigrants' Rights
Colotl v. Kelly
UPDATE 5/25/18: The Department of Homeland Security has agreed to renew Jessica Colotl’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and work permit to resolve a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Georgia, and Kuck Baxter Immigration in May 2017 against DHS for arbitrarily terminating Jessica’s DACA and rejecting her renewal application.
Indiana
Oct 2016
Immigrants' Rights
National Security
Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. v. Mike Pence, et al
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Indiana, on behalf of Exodus Refugee Immigration, filed suit against Governor Mike Pence and the secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to stop attempts to suspend resettlement of Syrian refugees, claiming the governor’s actions violate the United States Constitution and federal law.
All Cases
194 Immigrants' Rights Cases
Court Case
Jul 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Nyynkpao Banyee v. Pamela Bondi, et al
Explore case
Court Case
Jul 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Nyynkpao Banyee v. Pamela Bondi, et al
Florida
Jul 2025
Immigrants' Rights
FLORIDA IMMIGRANT COALITION v. UTHMEIER
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and the Community Justice Project filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging Florida’s new extreme anti-immigrant law, Senate Bill 4C (SB 4C), which authorizes state and local law enforcement to imprison people based on their manner of entering the country — powers the Constitution reserves exclusively to the federal government.
Explore case
Florida
Jul 2025
Immigrants' Rights
FLORIDA IMMIGRANT COALITION v. UTHMEIER
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and the Community Justice Project filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging Florida’s new extreme anti-immigrant law, Senate Bill 4C (SB 4C), which authorizes state and local law enforcement to imprison people based on their manner of entering the country — powers the Constitution reserves exclusively to the federal government.
Virginia
Jun 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Suri v. Trump
Whether someone with a valid visa within the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their protected political speech and familial associations.
Explore case
Virginia
Jun 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Suri v. Trump
Whether someone with a valid visa within the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their protected political speech and familial associations.
Texas
Jun 2025
Immigrants' Rights
M.A.P.S. v. Garite
Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court’s judicial district.
Explore case
Texas
Jun 2025
Immigrants' Rights
M.A.P.S. v. Garite
Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court’s judicial district.
Florida
May 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Peter Sean Brown v. Richard Ramsay
The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Florida, and Americans for Immigrant Justice filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a natural-born U.S. citizen who was unlawfully detained — and nearly deported — as a result of a Florida sheriff’s improper collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Explore case
Florida
May 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Peter Sean Brown v. Richard Ramsay
The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Florida, and Americans for Immigrant Justice filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a natural-born U.S. citizen who was unlawfully detained — and nearly deported — as a result of a Florida sheriff’s improper collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.