Cases and Legal Advocacy

One of the main ways ACLU-DC works to protect civil liberties and civil rights is through litigation. This section of our website documents the cases we’re working on now and those we’ve handled in recent years. Click here for general information about what types of cases we litigate.

Important disclaimer: Communicating with us through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship; only a signed agreement can create such a relationship. Additionally, past success is no guarantee of future results, even if we agree to represent you.

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ID: a picture of a street art stencil rendered in black spray paint on a white wall. The design is of a disposable surgical mask with the ties fluttering in the wind. "COVID-19" is stenciled below. Photo by Adam Niescioruk from Unsplash.com
Jul 13, 2020

J.B.B.C v. Wolf – Defending Due Process Rights for Children Seeking Refuge in the U.S. During COVID-19 Pandemic

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Victory!

This was the the nation’s first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s order restricting immigration based on an unprecedented and unlawful invocation of the Public Health Service Act.

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Statue of Liberty
Jun 22, 2020

United States v. Bolton – Federal Government Seeks Prior Restraint Against Former National Security Advisor’s Book

Freedom of Speech and Association
Status: Amicus Filed
We co-filed an amicus brief urging the court to deny the government’s motion for a temporary restraining order to suppress distribution of the former national security advisor's book because doing so would...
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Image description: view from the dashboard of a car approaching a sign stating "immigration check point" in a desert landscape
Jun 9, 2020

G.Y.J.P. v. Wolf -- defending due process rights for children seeking refuge in U.S. during COVID19 pandemic

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Victory!
This case challenges the Trump administration’s policy of expelling refugees without any of the protections required by the immigration laws, on the ground that they might have COVID-19 infections.
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protesters flee as tear gas is lobbed by white house
Jun 4, 2020

Black Lives Matter D.C. v. Trump – Challenging Federal Officers’ Unprovoked Attack on Civil Rights Demonstrators at Lafayette Square in Front of the White House

Racial Justice
Status: Open
A coalition of civil rights orgs sued President Trump and high-level officials for tear-gassing protesters outside the White House on June 1, 2020.
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ID: overhead view of 2 computer users who have melanated skin tone laptops on their laps. User on the left has a striped sweater; they're in the middle of typing. User on the right has 1 hand on the trackpad and the other resting closer to the screen.
May 11, 2020

D.C. Public Schools Student Technology Responsible Use Agreement

Freedom of Speech and Association
Status: Victory!

In the early months of 2020, parents of DCPS students (ranging from elementary to high school grades) expressed concerns to us about how the DCPS Student Technology Responsible Use Agreement School Year...

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Statue of Liberty
Apr 29, 2020

Samma v. Department of Defense -- Challenge to Trump Administration policy blocking non-citizens serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from becoming U.S. citizens

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Open

In April 2020, ACLU-DC, together with the National ACLU and the ACLU of Southern California,...

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