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
Massachusetts
Apr 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Öztürk v. Trump
Whether someone with a valid visa within the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
Explore case
Massachusetts
Apr 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Öztürk v. Trump
Whether someone with a valid visa within the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
Court Case
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The lawsuit challenges a rule published in March 2025 by the Trump administration, which requires millions of people to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration with them at all times, or risk federal criminal prosecution.
Explore case
Court Case
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The lawsuit challenges a rule published in March 2025 by the Trump administration, which requires millions of people to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration with them at all times, or risk federal criminal prosecution.
Idaho
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
IDAHO ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS v. LABRADOR
The ACLU of Idaho and the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Idaho to stop enforcement of House Bill 83, charging the law violates the U.S. Constitution by attempting to supersede the federal government’s oversight of immigration enforcement, by impermissibly limiting interstate commerce, and by failing to give ordinary people fair notice of what conduct it proscribes.
Explore case
Idaho
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
IDAHO ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS v. LABRADOR
The ACLU of Idaho and the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Idaho to stop enforcement of House Bill 83, charging the law violates the U.S. Constitution by attempting to supersede the federal government’s oversight of immigration enforcement, by impermissibly limiting interstate commerce, and by failing to give ordinary people fair notice of what conduct it proscribes.
New York
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Khalil v. Trump
Whether a legal permanent resident of the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
Explore case
New York
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Free Speech
Khalil v. Trump
Whether a legal permanent resident of the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy.
Court Case
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Espinoza Escalona v. Noem
Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration to halt the transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.
Explore case
Court Case
Mar 2025
Immigrants' Rights
Espinoza Escalona v. Noem
Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration to halt the transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.