News and Commentary

As the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State, we at the ACLU of Texas believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Sep 4, 2025

Lawmakers Can't Turn Classrooms Into Sunday Schools

Free Speech and Pluralism
From Arkansas to Oklahoma, politicians are pushing religion into public schools. The ACLU is fighting back to defend church-state separation and students’ rights.
From Arkansas to Oklahoma, politicians are pushing religion into public schools. The ACLU is fighting back to defend church-state separation and students’ rights.
Two street signs at an intersection on a pole reading Church St on one and State St on the other.
Two street signs at an intersection on a pole reading Church St on one and State St on the other.
Aug 18, 2025

New Detention Camp at Fort Bliss Marks Dangerous Expansion of Militarized Immigration Enforcement

Border and Immigrants’ Rights
As the Trump administration expands immigration enforcement, a new detention site at Fort Bliss raises alarm over secrecy, scale, and the use of military resources.
As the Trump administration expands immigration enforcement, a new detention site at Fort Bliss raises alarm over secrecy, scale, and the use of military resources.
A demonstrator holding a sign that says "Protect Immigrants."
A demonstrator holding a sign that says "Protect Immigrants."
Aug 15, 2025

Advocating for Your Rights Behind Bars: How to Use Our Civil Rights Guide in Texas Prisons

Smart Justice

Texas prisons are hard places to survive, and even harder to endure when your rights are being violated. Our "Civil Rights Resource Guide" helps ensure people aren’t left powerless — even behind bars.

By Naraya Price, Yale Law School, Marshall-Motley Scholar, Legal Department Summer 2025 Intern

Texas prisons are hard places to survive, and even harder to endure when your rights are being violated. Our "Civil Rights Resource Guide" helps ensure people aren’t left powerless — even behind bars.

By Naraya Price, Yale Law School, Marshall-Motley Scholar, Legal Department Summer 2025 Intern
civil right resource guide 2025
civil right resource guide 2025
Aug 15, 2025

I’m a Texas teacher. My students and I are afraid.

Students' Rights
Texas lawmakers are bullying children and pretending it’s public policy.
Texas lawmakers are bullying children and pretending it’s public policy.
backtoschool2025
backtoschool2025
Aug 6, 2025

Trump's Birthright Citizenship Executive Order: What Happens Next

Border and Immigrants’ Rights
Children born to parents who are undocumented or have temporary status will retain their right to birthright citizenship. The ACLU explains how the legal fight unfolded.
Children born to parents who are undocumented or have temporary status will retain their right to birthright citizenship. The ACLU explains how the legal fight unfolded.
A demonstrator looks up at her sign (which reads "Citizenship is a Birthright") during a rally outside the Supreme court building demanding the court uphold the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
A demonstrator looks up at her sign (which reads "Citizenship is a Birthright") during a rally outside the Supreme court building demanding the court uphold the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Jul 18, 2025

Texas’ Money Bail System Is Unfair and Ineffective

Smart Justice
Jailing Texans because they cannot afford bail violates norms of fairness and our constitutional right to due process.
Jailing Texans because they cannot afford bail violates norms of fairness and our constitutional right to due process.
cash bail blog banner
cash bail blog banner