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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Mar 23, 2012

Over-incarceration – Help us End this Texas Tradition

Smart Justice
By Frank Knaack Associate Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Lock ‘em up and throw away the key!  While this “tough on crime” rhetoric may sound good on the campaign trail, in reality it undermines public...
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By Frank Knaack Associate Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Lock ‘em up and throw away the key!  While this “tough on crime” rhetoric may sound good on the campaign trail, in reality it undermines public...
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Mar 23, 2012

Documented or Undocumented – Nobody Wins by Separating Families

Border and Immigrants’ Rights
By Kirsten Bokenkamp Senior Communications Strategist Felipe Montes, the father of three US citizen children, was deported to Mexico in 2010 (his crime, by the way, was driving with an expired license).  Upon...
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By Kirsten Bokenkamp Senior Communications Strategist Felipe Montes, the father of three US citizen children, was deported to Mexico in 2010 (his crime, by the way, was driving with an expired license).  Upon...
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Mar 21, 2012

Do Pervasive Homophobic Remarks Like “That’s So Gay” Create a Hostile School Environment?

Students' Rights
By Gislaine Williams Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator

The White House LGBT Conference on Safe Schools and Communities brought together educators, law enforcement, social service providers and community...

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By Gislaine Williams Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator

The White House LGBT Conference on Safe Schools and Communities brought together educators, law enforcement, social service providers and community...

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Mar 20, 2012

Civil Rights Conference: The Constitution Protects All Texans

Border and Immigrants’ Rights
By Dotty Griffith Public Education Director The fight for immigrants’ rights is one of this century’s great civil rights challenges. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the authority to regulate...
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By Dotty Griffith Public Education Director The fight for immigrants’ rights is one of this century’s great civil rights challenges. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that the authority to regulate...
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Mar 20, 2012

Reducing Crime and Reducing Costs

Smart Justice
By Kirsten Bokenkamp Senior Communications Strategist Houston is leading the way in reducing crime and public safety costs, says Marc Levin, director of the Center for Effective Justice at the...
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By Kirsten Bokenkamp Senior Communications Strategist Houston is leading the way in reducing crime and public safety costs, says Marc Levin, director of the Center for Effective Justice at the...
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Mar 19, 2012

Guest Blog: The Logic of the $100 Offender Copay and the Unintended Consequences

Smart Justice
By Jennifer Erschabek Austin Chapter Chair, Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA) Last session, a bill passed that requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offenders to pay a $100 annual...
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By Jennifer Erschabek Austin Chapter Chair, Texas Inmate Families Association (TIFA) Last session, a bill passed that requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offenders to pay a $100 annual...
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