American Civil Liberties Union

Immigrants' Rights:
The ACLU has been one of the nation's leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees and non-citizens, challenging unconstitutional laws and practices, countering the myths upon which many of these laws are based. Learn more about our Immigrants' Rights Project and take action to protect the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.



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Immigrants Rights : Detention : Press Releases

ACLU Says Kessler FOIA Decision Repudiation of Government Secrecy (08/02/2002)
WASHINGTON - The following is a quick statement by Lucas Guttentag, Director of the ACLU's Immigrants Rights Project, in response to the ruling today ordering disclosure of information about the persons detained after September 11.

ACLU of NJ Asks Court to Stop INS from Preventing Departure of Detainees (04/26/2002)
NEWARK, NJ--The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today filed legal papers asking a state appeals court to stop the federal government from misinterpreting a court ruling to prevent detainees from leaving the country after their immigration cases have been resolved. 

ACLU Applauds CA Police Chiefs for Expressing Strong View That Local Police Should Not Enforce Immigration Laws (04/15/2002)
SAN FRANCISCO--The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California today applauded the California Police Chiefs Association for expressing their strong opinion that local police should not be involved in immigration enforcement. 

Rejecting Government Secrecy, Court Orders Open Immigration Hearings in Post-Sept. 11 Challenge (04/04/2002)
DETROIT--Saying that government secrecy ""only breeds suspicion,"" a federal district judge has ruled that the government violated the constitution when it blocked public access to immigration hearings.  

ACLU of New Jersey Wins Access to Information on Post-September 11 Detainees (03/27/2002)
NEWARK, NJ-- Saying that secret arrests are "odious to a democracy," a state court here has granted the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey access to records of Immigration and Naturalization Service detainees held in jails in Hudson and Passaic counties. 

Advocacy Groups Hold Rights Trainings For Jailed INS Detainees (03/13/2002)
NEWARK -- The American Civil Liberties of New Jersey and coalition organizations today said that they have completed three "Know Your Rights" training sessions in the last week for detainees being held by the Immigration and Nationalization Service in Hudson, Passaic and Middlesex County Jails. 

ACLU Files Second Challenge to Closed Immigration Hearings on Behalf of NJ Newspapers Seeking Access (03/06/2002)
NEWARK, NJ--In its second challenge to a government policy blocking public access to immigration hearings, the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a First Amendment lawsuit on behalf of two New Jersey media organizations whose reporters were blocked from attending routine proceedings.

Three Federal Appeals Courts Declare Mandatory Detention of Immigrants Unconstitutional (03/05/2002)
NEW YORK -- In a move that signals Congress may have overplayed its hand when rewriting the nation's immigration laws, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that the mandatory detention provision of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 violates the Fifth Amendment. 

ACLU Files First Post-Sept. 11 Challenge To Closed Immigration Hearings on Behalf of MI Congressman and Journalists (01/29/2002)
DETROIT--In a case that could open the doors to legal proceedings of detainees around the nation, the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit on behalf of two local newspapers and Rep. John Conyers, D-MI, saying that a categorical block on public access to immigration hearings is unconstitutional and un-American. 

Rights Groups Seek to Question Govt. Officials on "Incomplete and Inaccurate" Records of Detainees (01/23/2002)
WASHINGTON--Saying that the government's response to a legal request for basic information on individuals arrested and detained after Sept. 11 is ""incomplete and inaccurate,"" a coalition of rights groups are now seeking further information about the often contradictory information contained in documents provided to them earlier this month. 

ACLU of New Jersey Files Lawsuit Seeking Information on Post-September 11 Detainees (01/22/2002)
NEWARK, NJ -- The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today announced the filing of a lawsuit against Hudson and Passaic Counties, seeking disclosure of the names of all Immigration and Naturalization Service detainees held in those counties' jails. 

Appeals Court Overturns Mandatory Detention of Immigrants (12/20/2001)
NEW YORK--The federal appeals court decision overturning mandatory detention of immigrants is a timely reminder that all people -- citizens and non-citizens alike -- are protected by our Constitution. 

ACLU Joins Coalition in Filing FOIA Lawsuit on Detainees (12/05/2001)
WASHINGTON -- What happened on September 11th was terrible and tragic. No one questions the government's right - indeed, its responsibility - to conduct a thorough and complete investigation. We share a common goal in finding those responsible for the September 11th attacks and preventing future attacks. 

In First Lawsuit Filed Regarding Mass Detentions, Civil Liberties Groups Demand Release of Essential Information Under FOIA (12/05/2001)
WASHINGTON -- Citing the government's continuing refusal to adequately respond to previous inquiries, a group of civil liberties, civil rights and human rights organizations today filed the first lawsuit requesting the disclosure of basic information about those individuals arrested and detained since September 11. 

ACLU of Washington Offers Free Attorneys To People Questioned in Federal "Dragnet" Investigation (12/03/2001)
SEATTLE--The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington announced today that it is offering attorneys to accompany any individuals in the state who are questioned by officials as part of a U.S. Department of Justice "dragnet" investigation.

ACLU of Oregon Offers Free Attorneys to Targets of Justice Department "Dragnet" Investigation (11/30/2001)
PORTLAND, OR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon announced today that it has recruited more than 20 attorneys from around the state who have volunteered to represent without charge more than 200 individuals in the state who expect to be contacted for interviews as part of a Justice Department ""dragnet"" investigation. 

Michigan Civil Rights Groups Announce "Know Your Rights" Hotline for Targets of Dragnet Investigation (11/29/2001)
DETROIT--Citing growing concerns over law enforcement's persistent targeting and ongoing detention of Middle Eastern men, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today announced the creation of a "Know Your Rights" telephone hotline. 

With Government Poised to Investigate Thousands, ACLU of Illinois Issues Ten-Point List of Constitutional Rights (11/15/2001)
CHICAGO--In an effort to provide straightforward information to anyone who may be interviewed or investigated by law enforcement officials, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois today issued a ten-point document setting forth basic, constitutional rights every person should know. 

As Government Prepares to Investigate Thousands, ACLU Issues Multi-Lingual "Know Your Rights!" Pamphlet to Educate Public (11/14/2001)
NEW YORK--On the heels of a new Justice Department plan to interview thousands of men from Middle Eastern countries, the American Civil Liberties Union today released a pamphlet that offers guidance in seven languages -- including Arabic, Hindi and Spanish -- on what to do when stopped by law enforcement. 

ACLU Criticizes Government's New "Dragnet" Plan to Interview Recent Foreign Visitors to U.S. (11/13/2001)
NEW YORK--The American Civil Liberties Union today criticized a new Justice Department plan to interview thousands of men who entered the country on non-immigrant visas in the last two years. 


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