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Fusion Centers Part of Incipient Domestic Intelligence System, ACLU Warns (07/29/2008)
WASHINGTON – The nation’s growing network of “fusion centers” is part of an incipient de facto domestic intelligence system, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Today the ACLU released a report detailing spying on Maryland peace demonstrators, a mysterious domestic-spying scandal at a California military base and other recent incidents, confirming that its warnings about fusion centers were coming true.

ACLU Warns Against Intrusive Deep Packet Inspection (07/17/2008)
Washington, DC – Americans’ online privacy was discussed today at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The hearing, titled “What Your Broadband Provider Knows About Your Web Use: Deep Packet Inspection and Communications Laws and Policies,” was meant to shed light on the practice of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) by Internet service providers (ISPs). DPI allows ISPs to track users’ Internet browsing activities and can be data mined for targeted marketing purposes. The ACLU urges members of the committee to be wary of the privacy landmines inherent in DPI.

ACLU-NC Applauds North Carolina House of Representatives for Passing House Bill 2136, Opposing the Controversial Federal Real ID Act as an Unfunded Mandate; Urges NC Senate to Act Quickly to Pass This Important Bill! (07/17/2008)
RALEIGH – The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) today applauded the NC House of Representatives for taking an important stand against the controversial federal Real ID Act, a law imposing onerous new requirements for the issuance of drivers' licenses. House Bill 2136 passed overwhelmingly today with bipartisan support, by a vote of 69-45. Eleven (11) states have already passed legislation refusing to comply with Real ID, and if the NC Senate passes H. 2136 before the session adjourns this month, then North Carolina could become the twelfth (12th) state to block implementation of this law.

Anti-REAL ID Leaders Vow to Press Forward on Repeal (07/17/2008)
PORTLAND, ME - Leaders of the repeal REAL ID effort vowed today that they will press forward and ensure that Maine takes no further steps toward compliance. Their optimism is fueled by the stunning turn-out of 652 volunteers who gathered 24,125 signatures from 398 towns across the state in the grassroots effort to repeal Maine's REAL ID compliance law.

Louisiana Becomes 11th State to Reject Federal Real ID Act (07/10/2008)
WASHINGTON – The state of Louisiana recently enacted legislation that prohibits the state from complying with the Real ID Act of 2005, federal legislation that mandates to all states that they create a national ID card. The Department of Homeland Security has been trying to gain support for the Act, but has faced growing resistance from the states. Louisiana is the 11th state to pass a law barring compliance with Real ID, and the 21st state to formally express its displeasure with the federal mandate. The legislation was passed by a vote of 72-22 in the Louisiana House, and by a vote of 36-2 in the Senate before Governor Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law.

ACLU to Mark One Millionth Addition to TSA Terrorist Watch List (07/02/2008)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union will mark the addition of the one millionth name to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) terrorist watch list in a July 14th Press Club event. The roll-over to one million confirms the warnings the ACLU has been making for years: the TSA is pinning American security on a system of watch lists that are bloated, inefficient, ineffective and unfair.

Repeal REAL ID Petition Drive Gears Up for Fourth of July (07/01/2008)
PORTLAND - Leaders of the drive to Repeal REAL ID announced Wednesday they will be "Defending the Fourth on the Fourth," by mobilizing hundreds of volunteers for a final push for signatures to repeal the state's REAL ID law, which violates the privacy rights guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.

ACLU Applauds Governor Napolitano (06/17/2008)
WASHINGTON - Today, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed into law legislation that would prohibit the state from complying with the Real ID Act of 2005, a federal mandate imposing a national ID card on all Americans through their state drivers' licenses. The measure passed both the Arizona House and Arizona Senate with overwhelming support: 51 to 1 and 21 to 7 respectively.

ACLU Applauds Senate Committee Investigation Into Personal Privacy Protections (06/17/2008)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) applauds Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for holding a hearing to explore whether the federal government is doing enough to protect personal information.

ACLU Statement on Airport Body Scanning Machines (06/06/2008)

Alaska Becomes 9th State to Reject Real ID (05/29/2008)
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin returned a bill to the legislature that would prevent the state from funding implementation of the federal Real ID Act. By neither signing nor vetoing the bill 20 days after overwhelming passage in the legislature, Governor Palin allowed the bill to become law, effective August of this year. Real ID is a federal mandate imposing a national ID card on all Americans through their state drivers' licenses.

ACLU Skeptical About Latest DHS Watch List Band-Aid (04/30/2008)
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed skepticism about the announcement yesterday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a new program intended to remedy the nation’s disastrous watch list system.

Congress Expected to Pass Health Privacy Protections (04/24/2008)
WASHINGTON DC - After more than a decade of debates, hearings and votes, Congress is expected to pass legislation referred to as the first civil rights bill of the 21st century that is a critical step toward securing civil liberties in the emerging field of medical technology.

ACLU of Maryland Launches "Real ID, Real Exposed" Campaign on College Campuses; Video Details Danger of Identity Theft (04/17/2008)
BALTIMORE - As part of a growing national movement in opposition to implementation of the federal Real ID Act by the states, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland has launched a campaign to educate young people and all Marylanders about why Real ID should be rejected. The "Real ID, Real Exposed" campaign features a video on YouTube, posters, postcards, website, and Myspace page designed to raise the profile of Real ID in Maryland and help organize the increasing number of people and organizations who oppose this misguided law.

MCLU Disappointed in Legal Status Compromise (04/16/2008)
AUGUSTA - The Maine Civil Liberties Union today expressed disappointment in the enactment of LD 2039. The final bill requires the Secretary of State to enact regulations requiring driver's license applicants to demonstrate a "legal presence" in order to obtain a license.

American Civil Liberties Union Of Minnesota Applauds Governor Pawlenty For Signing "Massage Therapist" Bill (04/11/2008)
St. Paul, Minn - Governor Pawlenty signed H.F. 3708 into law today. Among the provision of this bill are changes for complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Specifically, this law deals with when alternative health care providers can engage in a private sexual relationship with former clients.

Idaho Joins the Ranks of the Anti-Real ID States (04/11/2008)
WASHINGTON – This week, Idaho Governor Butch Otter signed into law legislation that prohibits the Idaho Department of Transportation from complying with the Real ID Act of 2005, a federal law requiring the states to implement a national identification card. The bill landed on the governor’s desk after receiving overwhelming bipartisan support in both the Idaho House and Senate, not receiving a single vote against passage. Idaho now joins Georgia, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington as states that have passed laws prohibiting compliance with Real ID.

MCLU Seeks Public Records on REAL ID Waiver (04/03/2008)
PORTLAND - Today, the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation filed a public records request with the Office of Governor John E. Baldacci for records relating to the debate over REAL ID. After more than a week of back and forth between the Governor's Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the two parties announced yesterday that Maine was granted a waiver in exchange for promises by the Governor to propose changes to Maine driver license law. Just last year, Governor Baldacci signed into law a statute prohibiting Maine's participation Real ID.

New Report Supports ACLU Warnings on Fusion Centers (04/02/2008)
Washington, DC – A new document obtained by the Washington Post supports warnings by the American Civil Liberties Union regarding the post-9/11 institutions known as fusion centers. A story published today in the Post confirms fusion centers’ growing role in law enforcement and reveals their expanding ties to private industry, including relationships with massive data-brokering companies. The ACLU released a report last year outlining serious concerns with fusion centers.

Real ID Won’t Really Be Enforced, DHS Gives Maine Real ID Extension (04/02/2008)