Press Releases

The American Civil Liberties Union has media staff available to handle inquiries from journalists on issues affecting civil liberties, including questions on legislative matters that touch on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms and inquiries related to ACLU lawsuits. Reporters with questions about ACLU work, please contact media@aclum.org.

Sep 30, 2025

Appeals Court Hears Arguments on Behalf of Mohsen Mahdawi, Rümeysa Öztürk

A three-judge panel heard arguments today from lawyers representing Mohsen Mahdawi and Rümeysa Öztürk, two students detained earlier this year by ICE in retaliation for their speech in support of Palestinian rights.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Immigrants' Rights
Sep 03, 2025

Court Holds that Medical Researchers’ Censorship Suit Can Continue

A federal court denied the government’s motion to dismiss the claims from doctors alleging the federal government censored research that mentioned LGBTQ people
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression
Jun 09, 2025

Legal Organizations Across Ideologies Urge Court to Block President Trump’s Unconstitutional Attacks on Harvard

Legal organizations across the ideological spectrum today urged the District of Massachusetts court to block the Trump administration’s attempted hostile ideological takeover of Harvard University. 
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression
May 23, 2025

Censored Patient Safety Research Must Return to Government Website, Judge Rules

Republishing these articles is a victory for free speech and public health. The government can’t censor medical research solely because it disfavors certain viewpoints.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, LGBTQ Rights
May 09, 2025

Rümeysa Öztürk To Be Freed from Detention as Case Proceeds

More than six weeks after the Trump administration arrested and detained her because of an op-ed, a federal court ordered the release of Rümeysa Öztürk.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Immigrants' Rights
May 07, 2025

Appeals Court Orders Trump Administration to Transfer Rümeysa Öztürk to Vermont

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the government to comply with a lower court’s ruling to move Ms. Öztürk from a Louisiana detention center to a facility in Vermont.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression
Apr 29, 2025

Appeals Court to Consider Stay of Rümeysa Öztürk’s Transfer to Vermont

We are ready to argue her case before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and we won’t stop fighting until she is free.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Immigrants' Rights
Apr 25, 2025

Appeals Court Must Reject Government’s Cruel Attempt to Keep Rümeysa Özturk in Louisiana

The district court's proceedings should continue and that the Second Circuit Court of Appeals should deny the government’s attempt to halt Ms. Öztürk's transfer to Vermont.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression
Apr 18, 2025

Court Rules Rümeysa Öztürk’s Lawsuit Should Move Forward in Vermont and Orders ICE to Transfer Her Back to New England

With this ruling, a federal court has rightfully reaffirmed that Rümeysa Öztürk’s case belongs in Vermont — significantly closer to her friends, community, and counsel.
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Expression, Immigrants' Rights