Immigrants' Rights

Regardless of a person’s country of origin, everyone in the United States has constitutional rights. Yet xenophobia and structural inequities mean the rights of immigrants are disproportionately violated.

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Regardless of a person’s country of origin, everyone in the United States has constitutional rights. Yet xenophobia and structural inequities mean the rights of immigrants are disproportionately violated.

Expanding the rights of immigrants is a top strategic priority of the ACLU-NJ, and we advocate on all fronts: litigation, legislation, public outreach, and organizing.

We have driven powerful advocacy to fight immigration detention, to make driver’s licenses accessible for all New Jerseyans, and to end state and local law enforcement’s participation in federal detentions and deportation actions, among other work.

The Latest

Press Release
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Mahmoud Khalil Seeks to Challenge Government’s Retaliatory, Post-Facto Charges Against Him in Federal Court

The preliminary injunction motion argues that the government’s post-hoc charge against Mr. Khalil was retaliatory and violates the First Amendment.
Press Release
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ACLU-NJ Responds to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship

Today’s Supreme Court ruling emboldens the Trump administration’s unconstitutional attacks on birthright citizenship at the expense of immigrant communities across the country.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Press Release
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ACLU-NJ Responds to Arraignment of Congresswoman LaMonica McIver

The arraignment of Congresswoman McIver is a shameful escalation of the Trump administration’s intimidation campaign against those who refuse to do its bidding.
Press Release
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Mahmoud Khalil to Be Freed From Detention, Reunite With Wife and Son as Case Proceeds

Targeted by Trump administration for his advocacy in support of Palestinian rights, Mr. Khalil can go home to his family in New York after over three months in detention in rural Louisiana.
Court Case
Apr 22, 2025

Student Doe #1, et al v. Noem, et al

Complaint filed on behalf of Rutgers students who had their F-1 student immigration status effectively terminated.
Court Case
Aug 08, 2024

El Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas (CATA) v Platkin

Affirmative litigation challenging the constitutionality of excluding New Jersey farmworkers from equal wage and overtime pay.
Court Case
Jan 10, 2024

CoreCivic, Inc. v. Murphy 

Amicus brief in support of a state law prohibiting new, renewed, or expanded immigration detention contracts in New Jersey.
Court Case
Jul 02, 2018

State v. Rodriguez

Petition for Certification addressing the requirements of criminal lawyers to advise their clients of immigration consequences of guilty pleas.