Border and Immigrants’ Rights

The fight for border and immigrants’ rights is especially important in the Lone Star State. Seventeen percent of our state’s residents are foreign-born, and we share a 1,254-mile border with Mexico. That border and the Texas communities along it endure the brunt of the nation’s long history of policies based in xenophobia and militarization. The state is a critical front in the struggle for border and immigrants’ rights in our country.

Brownsville rally

What you need to know

$47 million

How much the federal government spent per-mile to build border walls in South Texas.

1,000%

The increase in traffic citations that border residents are facing due to the presence of hundreds of state troopers deployed to the border.

$3 billion

The amount of state money Texas allocated to militarize the border in 2021 alone.

The fight for border and immigrants’ rights is especially important in the Lone Star State. Seventeen percent of our state’s residents are foreign-born, and we share a 1,254-mile border with Mexico. That border and the Texas communities along it endure the brunt of the nation’s long history of policies based in xenophobia and militarization. The state is a critical front in the struggle for border and immigrants’ rights in our country.

Immigrants in Texas have always been an important part of our state’s history, culture, and economy — but immigrant communities continue to be profiled, harassed, detained, and demonized. We at the ACLU of Texas are committed to defending the rights of border and immigrant communities in courtrooms, at the state legislature, with federal and state law enforcement agencies, and in communities large and small throughout the state.

The Latest

News & Commentary
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.

Trump's Birthright Citizenship Executive Order: What Happens Next

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.
News & Commentary
Rümeysa Öztürk reads an art book.

Rümeysa Öztürk On How We Can All Support Immigrants

After a harrowing ICE detention, she’s urging others to protect immigrant rights.
News & Commentary
ICE is $1 billion over budget

ICE Is Already $1 Billion Over Budget and Texans Are Paying the Price

This isn't just a financial issue. It reflects a larger problem with how national priorities are being shaped, and who is being harmed in the process.
News & Commentary
Two signs are held up during the May Day March In Manhattan, New York on May 1, 2025. The largest of the signs is in the foreground and reads"We Are a Nation of Immigrants," while the smaller in the background reads, " WE ARE ALL (EXCEPT NATIVE...

From Day One, Trump's Immigration Agenda Has Grown More Extreme

Trump has sought every way to terrorize entire communities in a hunt for our immigrant neighbors that will put all of our civil liberties in danger. As the ACLU prepares for the fight ahead, we offer three key areas to watch.
Court Case
Dec 19, 2023

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center et al v. Steven C. McCraw et al

Court Case
Aug 21, 2023

Garces Robles, et al v. Ramirez, et al.

The ACLU of Texas and partners are suing over the unlawful, prolonged detention of four immigrants by two counties on the Texas border in 2021 and 2022.
Court Case
Dec 15, 2021

Texas Migrant Arrest Program under 'Operation Lone Star'

Court Case
Jul 24, 2020

Texas Civil Rights Project (for Unnamed Children) v. Wolf

A federal lawsuit to stop the deportation of children detained in hotel rooms by the Trump administration under an emergency declaration citing the coronavirus as reason to do so.