ACLU of Texas Legal Program

The ACLU of Texas legal program works in courts to defend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights:

• Your First Amendment rights-freedom of speech, association and assembly. Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion supported by the strict separation of church and state.
• Your right to equal protection under the law - equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
• Your right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.

We work also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.

ACLU of Texas Investigation
ACLU of Texas Investigates Complaints About Religious Freedom Violations at Navasota ISD Read More...

State Department Agrees To Fair Issuance of Passports To Mexican Americans
ACLU of Texas Hails Settlement Agreement. Read More...

Supreme Court Preserves Voting Rights Act Oversight Provision
ACLU of Texas Legal Director Lisa Graybill Says Decision Helps Ensure Equal Voting Rights for All Texans Read More...

Texas Supreme Court Decision Is Major Victory for Religious Freedom
ACLU of Texas Supported Pastor’s Effort to Overturn City Ordinance that Restricted Religious Freedom Read More...

ACLU of Texas Continuing Legal Education Program Comes to Rio Grande Valley
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas Legal Department will offer the latest of its Continuing Legal Education seminars, this time on the University of Texas PanAmerican campus in Edinburg on Friday, June 19. The 4-hour CLE, which addresses the immigration consequences of certain criminal convictions for non-citizens, is being co-sponsored by the Hidalgo County Criminal Defense Bar Association. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Ends Unconstitutional Prayer Policy at Corpus Christi School
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas today announced that it successfully stopped the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) from allowing school-sponsored elections for graduation prayer at the district's Richard King High School and other campuses. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Investigates Public Schools For Violating Students’ Religious Freedom
Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed open records requests with six public school districts to disclose information about distribution of Bibles by Gideon International as well as any other religious materials on school grounds. Read More...

Supreme Court Hears Voting Rights Act Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal today brought by a small municipal utility district in Austin, Texas challenging a key section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark federal law that ensured African-Americans and language minorities access to voting booths across the South and the nation. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Prevails in Crawford War Protesters Case
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) today handed down a victory for free speech when it declined to reinstate convictions against two Iraq war protesters wrongfully accused of obstructing a road near President Bush’s Crawford ranch in McLennan County. Read More...

Wesleyan University School of Law Call for Papers and Participation
In connection with the law school’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Texas Wesleyan Law Review is pleased to host a symposium on Friday, October 2 , 2009, on the topic of “The Role of Lawyers of Color: Past, Present & Future.” Read More...

ACLU of Texas Deferred Law Firm Associate opportunities
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, the Texas state affiliate of the national ACLU, is seeking applications from attorneys and law graduates whose law firms will sponsor them to work at public interest law organizations. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Comments on Settlement with City of Farmers Branch for Attorneys’ Fees
Statements from Legal Director Lisa Graybill and Executive Director Terri Burke Read More...

ACLU Sues School District For Punishing Kindergarten Student Because of Family's Religious Beliefs
The ACLU of Texas and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today sued to stop the Needville Independent School District from punishing a five-year-old American Indian kindergarten student for practicing and expressing his family’s religious beliefs and heritage. Read More...

ACLU Challenges Solitary Confinement And Unwarranted Strip Searches Of Girls Held In Texas Youth Prison
The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Texas filed a class action lawsuit today. Read More...

Judge Orders Children Returned To Their Families
Judge Barbara Walther ordered the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services today to return more than 400 children removed from the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas to their families. Read More...

ACLU Urges Court to Correct Constitutional Errors
The ACLU of Texas is encouraged by 51st District Judge Barbara Walther?s scheduling of a hearing for 2 p.m. today to address yesterday's Texas Supreme Court decision. Read More...

ACLU Victorious In Voting Rights Act Challenge
Court rebuffs Austin MUD's challenge to declare Section 5 unconstitutional Read More...

Texas Supreme Court Calls Removal Of Children From Yearning For Zion Ranch "Unwarranted"
Ruling Concurs With ACLU Position Read More...

ACLU Brief at Texas Supreme Court: State Can't Separate Families Based Solely On Beliefs
Brief Highlights Due Process Rights Of Families Impacted in FLDS Case Read More...

MALDEF and ACLU Win Permanent Injunction of Farmers Branch Ordinance
Federal judge rules Farmers Branch Ordinance 2903 is unconstitutional and rejects City?s attempt to declare most recent Ordinance constitutional Read More...

ACLU Statement On Texas Appellate Court Decision Regarding Yearning For Zion Ranch
The ACLU applauds the Texas Third Court of Appeals for ensuring that members of the Fundamental Church of Latter-day Saints receive the due process to which they, like all Americans, are entitled. Read More...

ACLU Statement on YFZ Ranch - May 2, 2008
ACLU of Texas has serious concerns about the handling of the government's raid on the FLDS compound in Eldorado and that the government is not adequately protecting the fundamental rights of impacted children, mothers, and religious communities. Read More...

Know Your Rights: Student Expression and the Day of Silence
The ACLU of Texas wants all Texas students to have a safe and respectful learning environment, no matter what their sexual orientation is. This Friday, April 25th, students across the country will participate in a National Day of Silence to raise awareness about the harassment lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students face all too often in our public schools. To help protect your right to participate in this special day, the ACLU of Texas has put together this list of five things you need to know about your rights during Day of Silence: Read More...

Voting Rights Presentation Materials Now Available!
On March 8, 2008, the ACLU Foundation of Texas held a voting rights panel as a part of our 70th Anniversary Conference in San Antonio. The handouts from that panel are accessible below for your convenience. Read More...

International Human Rights Experts Denounce U.S. Record On Racial And Ethnic Discrimination
A United Nations committee today issued a strongly worded critique of the United States? record on racial discrimination and urged the government to make sweeping reforms to policies affecting racial and ethnic minorities, women, and immigrants in this country. The American Civil Liberties Union called on the U.S. government to take vigorous steps to implement the committee?s recommendations and fulfill its human rights treaty obligations. Read More...

Free Market Foundation, ACLU, Texas Eagle Forum PAC Win Preliminary Injunction Against Unconstitutional Law Criminalizing Citizen Speech on Speaker's Race
Today, a broad-based coalition of plaintiffs won a preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court in Austin that now prevents the Texas Ethics Commission from enforcing a state law restricting individuals and groups from speaking out in the Texas Speaker's race. Read More...

Federal Court Enjoins San Antonio's Procession Ordinance
The ACLU of Texas was pleased to learn today that Federal Judge Xavier Rodriguez has temporarily enjoined the city of San Antonio from implementing a new procession ordinance. The injunction was issued after the ACLU of Texas filed a friend of the court brief in support of a legal challenge brought by a coalition of San Antonio parade organizers. Read More...

Free Market Foundation, ACLU, Texas Eagle Forum PAC File Lawsuit Challenging State's Ban on Free Speech
A broad-based coalition of plaintiffs today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Austin that challenges a state law blocking individuals and organizations in Texas from engaging in true public debate over the election of the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Read More...

Vidor School District Makes Pledge of Allegiance Optional After ACLU Challenge
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas applauded the Vidor Independent School District (VISD) Board of Directors today for revising district policy to protect students' rights. Read More...

Incarceration of Pregnant Woman Draws Local and National Criticism
Medical, Public Health, Child Welfare Advocacy Groups and Experts Ask Court to Free Amber Lovill Read More...

ACLU of Texas Applauds City of Lubbock for Reversing Censorship Decision
AUSTIN, TX - The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU) today applauded the City of Lubbock for reversing its decision to censor two works of art during the December 7, 2007 First Friday Art Trail at the Buddy Holly Center. After the ACLU announced an investigation into censorship at the city-funded Center, City Manager Lee Ann Dumbauld told reporters that the City has concluded it should not restrict art exhibits. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Investigates Censorship at Buddy Holly Center
The ACLU of Texas has requested that the City of Lubbock disclose information about the censorship of artwork at the city-funded Buddy Holly Center. The ACLU initiated its investigation into the Center after two works of art were reportedly prohibited from being displayed during the First Friday Art Trail. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Defends Crawford Protestors' First Amendment Rights
Oral argument will be heard today on the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas' (ACLU) appeal from the conviction of two Iraq war protestors for refusing to remove a tent from a ditch near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Read More...

ACLU Client Wins MLK Parade Permit
Ovide Duncantell and the Black Heritage Society Victorious in Coin Toss Read More...

ACLU Wins Changes to Houston Parade Ordinance
Yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU) prevailed in another part of its challenge to the City of Houston's revised parade ordinance when US District Judge Lee Rosenthal held the new ordinance's fee waiver provision unconstitutional. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Urges Pearland ISD to Avoid Prayer at School Board Meetings
A volunteer attorney from the ACLU of Texas' Houston Chapter will attend tonight's meeting of the Pearland ISD Board of Trustees to address the issue of prayer at school board meetings. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Files Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Dallas Judge
Judge Improperly Demanded Sikh American Man Take Off His "Hat" In Courtroom Read More...

Landmark Settlement Announced in Federal Lawsuit Challenging Conditions at Immigrant Detention Center in Texas
The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a landmark settlement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that greatly improves conditions for immigrant children and their families inside the T. Don Hutto detention center in Taylor, Texas. Read More...

Se Anunció Acuerdo Histórico de la Demanda Federal que Desafía las Condiciones del Centro de Detención para Inmigrantes en Texas
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Judge Grants ACLU, MALDEF Request for Temporary Restraining Order in Immigration Ordinance Challenge
The ACLU Foundation of Texas won a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) today to block implementation of an anti-immigrant ordinance in Farmers Branch. Read More...

Texas Parents Challenge Unconstitutional Bible Class in Public Schools
ACLU and PFAWF File Lawsuit Against Ector County School Board for Impermissibly Promoting Religion Read More...

VIDEO: Children Confined
View a short video about the children detained at the Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas -- children on whose behalf the ACLU is currently suing the Secretary of Homeland Security. Read More...

ACLU Challenges Illegal Detention of Immigrant Children Held in Prison-Like Conditions
The American Civil Liberties Union today filed lawsuits on behalf of ten immigrant children, challenging their illegal detention at the T. Don Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas. Read More...

Farmers Branch to Consider Repeal of Anti-Immigrant Ordinance Challenge by MALDEF and the ACLU
The Farmers Branch City Council voted yesterday to direct their City Attorney to draft a new ordinance effectively repealing the city?s anti-immigrant ordinance adopted on November 13, 2006. Read More...

State Court Judge Halts Farmers Branch Ordinance
ACLU and MALDEF Pleased That Unconstitutional Ordinance Will Not go Into Effect on January 12 Read More...

ACLU of Texas and NAACP prevail in Houston parade ordinance challenge
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Houston (NAACP) prevailed in challenging the City of Houston?s parade permit ordinance. Read More...

Farmers Branch Documents Available Online
To see documents related to our case in Farmers Branch, click the links below. Read More...

ACLU, MALDEF File Temporary Restraining Order in Immigration Ordinance Challenge
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU) filed a request for a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of an anti-immigrant ordinance adopted by the Farmers Branch City Council on November 13, 2006. The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect on January 12. Read More...

Farmers Branch City Council Proceeds with Implementation of Challenged Immigration Ordinance
Today, the Farmers Branch City Council refused to rescind or suspend implementation of the anti-immigrant ordinance it adopted on November 13, despite the submission of a recall petition signed by Farmers Branch residents and the legal challenge filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU). Read More...

ACLU of Texas and NAACP challenge Houston parade ordinance
The ACLU and the NAACP filed suit in Houston federal district court challenging the City of Houston?s parade permit ordinance. Read More...

Grupo de derechos civiles registra desafio a ordenanza anti-inmigrante en Farmers Branch
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ACLU and MALDEF sue Farmers Branch challenging anti-immigrant ordinance
December 26--Today, the ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed suit in Dallas federal district court on behalf of Farmers Branch residents and landlords challenging that city?s recently adopted anti-immigrant ordinance. Read More...

ACLU, Texas Eagle Forum, Liberty Legal Institute and Others File Joint Brief Arguing CPS Must Comply with 4th Amendment
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas joined with leading conservative and libertarian organizations to file a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in support of the Gates family, in a case involving a warrantless raid of the Gates home and seizure of their children by the Defendants, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS) and Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. Read More...

ACLU and ACLJ Urge Supreme Court To Enforce Texas Religious Freedom Act
Today, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Texas filed a joint friend of the court brief on behalf of Pastor Rick Barr and Philemon Homes, Inc. urging the Court to reverse a decision that sharply limited the reach of Texas's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Read More...

Criminal Trial Begins Monday In Crawford Protest Case
The jury trial of two Iraq war protestors charged with obstructing a street near President Bush?s Crawford ranch begins this Monday in Waco, Texas. Read More...

ACLU Response to Anti-Immigrant Proposals Passed in Farmers Branch
The ACLU of Texas today expresses its concern and disappointment over the City of Farmers Branch's vote last night approving three anti-immigrant proposals, including a housing ordinance and an English-only resolution. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Files a Response to AG Opinion Request on Sex Offenders
On October 25, 2006, the ACLU of Texas filed a Response to Senator Jane Nelson's Request for the Attorney General's Opinion on whether a municipality may prohibit registered sex offenders from living in certain locations within the municipality. Read More...

ACLU Defends Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today moved to intervene in a lawsuit filed by an Austin Utility District that seeks to throw out a key section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark federal law that ended the exclusion of African Americans from voting booths throughout the south. Read More...

ACLU Seeks Statutory Compensation for All Tulia Exonerees
Today the ACLU submitted a brief to the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot arguing that all the individuals wrongfully imprisoned as a result of the now infamous Tulia scandal are entitled to full compensation under Texas law. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Applauds Court Decision to Let Stand a Ruling That Reversed the Conviction of Two Pregnant Women
We applaud the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' decision to let stand a lower court?s ruling that Texas criminal statutes penalizing the delivery of a contolled substance to a child cannot be used to prosecute a pregnant woman for prenatal drug use. Read More...

ACLU Files Brief Opposing the Censure of Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathaniel Hecht
Today, the ACLU of Texas filed an amicus brief on behalf of Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathaniel Hecht, urging a Special Court of Review to reject a prior determination by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct that Justice Hecht should be censured for his public support of Harriet Miers when President Bush nominated Miers to the US Supreme Court. Tomorrow, a special tribunal appointed by the Supreme Court will commence in Fort Worth to determine whether Hecht violated two canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which the ACLU contends are impermissible restrictions on the freedom of speech. Read More...

ACLU of Texas Joins Nationwide Action Against NSA Snooping on Americans' Phone Calls
Responding to reports that phone companies are turning over private details about Americans' telephone calls to the National Security Agency, the American Civil Liberties Union today launched a nationwide initiative to end illegal government spying. The ACLU of Texas, in conjunction with nineteen ACLU affiliates across the country, submitted a complaint to the state Public Utility Commission asking for an investigation. Read More...

Hang up on phone company spying in Texas
Take direct action! Tell the Public Utility Commission of Texas not to let phone companies violate your privacy in the name of warrantless government spying on ordinary Texans. Read More...

'Spying Eyes' are an affront to the Constitution, and the rights of American Muslims
An ACLU of Texas boardmember writes in the Houston Chronicle, "For more than four years I have watched FBI agents pose inappropriate questions to my clients. In the name of the War on Terror, agents have questioned thousands of Muslims, often U.S. citizens, in violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution. ..." Read More...

PA Judge: Teaching Intelligent Design Unconstitutional
In a far-reaching decision, a federal district judge in Pennsylvania concluded that intelligent design is not science. Read More...

FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG: Parental Involvement / Judicial Bypass
"On Tuesday, family law attorney Rita Lucido, co-founder and board chair of Jane's Due Process, presented a continuing legal education course on Texas' parental involvement laws related to access to abortion by underage women..."

Passage of Proposition 2 Sets Back Civil Liberties for All Texans
Texans voted to amend our state Constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, thereby denying the validity of domestic partnerships between both same- and opposite-sex couples. Read More...

FROM THE LIBERTY BLOG: Is Alito a Threat to Civil Liberties?
"Last Monday, President Bush nominated Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Samuel Alito Jr..."

Testimony Resumes in Johnson v. Wathan
Court resumed today after a four day recess, with Defendant Mathew Bowman and several witnesses taking the stand to refute Roderick Johnson's claim that prison officials at the Allred Unit ignored his repeated pleas for help, and were deliberately indifferent to the fact that he was being bought and sold as a sex slave between rival gangs. Read More...

Johnson v. Wathan Trial Update
Houston Chronicle reports Assistant Warden in prison sex slave case testified yesterday that prison employees investigating rape claims rarely interviewed the alleged perpetrators or checked their criminal history. Read More...

Prison Sex Slave Trial Going On Now in Wichita Falls
During the 18 months he was incarcerated on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Allred Unit, Roderick Johnson was bought and sold by prison gangs who raped, abused, and degraded him nearly every day. Read More...