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 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. 

Florida Civil Rights Groups Announce "Know Your Rights" Hotline for Targets of Dragnet Investigation (12/08/2001)
MIAMI--Citing growing concerns over law enforcement's persistent targeting and ongoing detention of Middle Eastern men, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today announced the creation of a "Know Your Rights" telephone hotline. 

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 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. 

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. 

Civil Rights Lawyers Fight Government's Efforts to Detain Immigrants on Basis of "Secret Evidence" (11/07/2001)
MIAMI -- Nearly one year after a federal court here ordered the release of a Palestinian immigrant who was jailed for nearly four years on the basis of "secret evidence," the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and other rights groups are still fighting the government's efforts to jail immigrants on the basis of evidence kept secret from them and their attorneys. 

ACLU Joins in FOIA Request for Information On Detainees, Says Government Has Refused to Answer Previous Inquiries (10/29/2001)
WASHINGTON -- Saying it felt compelled by the government's refusal to answer its previous inquiries, the American Civil Liberties Union today joined with a coalition of civil liberties, human rights and electronic privacy organizations in filing a Freedom of Information Act request for information about the individuals arrested or detained since September 11. 

Concerned About Reports of Denial of Rights, ACLU Asks Ashcroft for Details on Widespread Detention (10/17/2001)
WASHINGTON -- Saying that unprecedented government secrecy is raising questions about the fairness of the government's investigation into the terrorist attacks, the American Civil Liberties Union today asked the Justice Department to release to the American public additional information about the more than 700 people held in detention since September 11. 

ACLU Backs Bill to Stop Improper Removal and Jailing of Refugees,Says Measure Would Save Lives, Prevent Mistreatment (08/02/2001)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union expressed strong support today for new bipartisan legislation that would greatly limit the number of deportations, without a fair hearing and without review, of asylum-seekers with a valid need for refuge in the United States. 

ACLU Refutes Attorney General's Statements on Supreme Court-Ordered Release of Immigrants (07/20/2001)
WASHINGTON--The American Civil Liberties Union today sharply criticized an apparent attempt by the Department of Justice to delay the release of indefinitely detained immigrants whom the Supreme Court recently ordered released.


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