Press Releases

ACLU-D.C. lawyers and advocates are among the nation's leading experts on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms. They are regularly sought out by leading broadcast, print and online media to lend an essential voice to the conversation about some of the most important issues facing the nation and the District. For all press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Mar 17, 2025

ACLU-D.C. Urges House of Representatives to Pass the District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025

We urge the House of Representatives to immediately vote to pass the ‘District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025,’ which would restore one billion dollars in local spending authority in the District.
Issue Areas: D.C. Statehood
Mar 15, 2025

Federal Court Broadens Temporary Block on Trump Using Alien Enemies Act to Remove Immigrants from the U.S.

A federal judge broadened the scope of an earlier temporary restraining order, blocking Trump from deporting anyone under the Alien Enemies Act while the case proceeds.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 15, 2025

ACLU and Democracy Forward Sue Trump Administration Over Expected Invocation of Alien Enemies Act

The American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration today over the president’s expected unlawful and unprecedented invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. 
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 14, 2025

Court Rejects U.S. Bid to Dismiss Claims over Federal Officers’ 2020 Lafayette Square attack on Civil Rights Demonstrators 

The federal district court in Washington denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss claims against the United States over the actions of federal Park Police, Secret Service, and other agency officers who beat and gassed peaceful civil rights demonstrators at Lafayette Square.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Mar 07, 2025

Advocates Sue to Challenge Withholding of Gender-Affirming Care in Federal Prisons

“The Trump administration's decision to deny gender-affirming care approved by its own doctors is unconstitutional and part of a broader campaign to push trans people out of public life. Trans people deserve access to critical medical care like everyone else."
Mar 04, 2025

ACLU-D.C. responds to Metropolitan Police Department's Reinstatement of Two Convicted Officers

The Metropolitan Police Department’s decision to reinstate police officers who were convicted for their roles in a murder and cover-up is an affront to public safety in the District.
Mar 01, 2025

Groups Sue Trump Administration to Halt Transfer of Immigrants from U.S. to Guantánamo Bay

Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration today to halt the transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.
Feb 12, 2025

Groups Sue Trump Administration for Access to Immigrants Sent from U.S. to Guantánamo Bay

Immigrants’ rights advocates sued the Trump administration for access to immigrants transferred from the United States to detention at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba under President Trump’s recent order.
Feb 07, 2025

ACLU Urges Congress to Prevent Illegal Mass Layoff of Federal Workers

“We need today’s Congress to step up to protect our merit-based, nonpartisan civil service, and to prevent Trump’s latest attempt to hijack the federal government for his own political ends.”