In his series "The New Americans," ACLU of Texas Artist-In-Residence Vincent Valdez aims to record — and remind others — of the ongoing, united effort and resistance shared by people across contemporary America. Like a stubborn pulse in a struggling heart, these are The New Americans.

HAPPENING TODAY: A federal court will hear our challenge to S.B. 12 — one of the most extreme education censorship laws in the country. Students deserve the freedom to learn and an education that affirms who they are, not one that censors their identity.

HOUSTON 🗣️ Join us for the opening of "End Cash Bail," a poetry and visual art exhibition that showcases the impact of Texas jails on incarcerated folks and their loved ones. Free food and free resources will be provided. JOIN US: https://action.aclu.org/webform/tx-end-cash-bail

BREAKING: We and partners demand Texas State University reverse its unconstitutional censorship of a renowned Black history exhibition. Teaching Black history isn’t controversial — it’s necessary.

We filed a class action lawsuit to block school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Here's what that means for Texans ⬇️

Beatings. Sexual abuse. Clandestine deportations. Forcing thousands of people into tent camps in the middle of the desert was a recipe for humanitarian disaster — and that’s exactly what’s happening. The immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss in El Paso must be shut down.

Public schools are not Sunday schools.

Gov. Abbott is choosing to protect the free speech rights of his preferred school clubs — while eliminating LGBTQIA+ clubs. This double standard infringes on everyone's constitutional protections. Queer students have the same rights as everyone else. We won't let Abbott deny their existence.

We joined @aclu.org @aclutx.bsky.social @aclunm.bsky.social @txcivilrights.bsky.social @humanrightswatch.bsky.social in urging ICE to end immigration detention at Camp East Montana, a massive tent camp at the Ft Bliss military base in El Paso. Read the full letter ⬇️ www.aclu.org/documents/ic...

BREAKING: We’ve uncovered inhumane conditions — including abusive and sexual contact — at the largest immigration detention center in the country. The new detention camp at Fort Bliss in El Paso must be shut down now.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court ruled to allow Texas to proceed with using a racially discriminatory voting map. Voters of color deserve to be heard – not silenced.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court just announced it will hear our case challenging President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. Every child born on U.S. soil has a right to citizenship. We’ll see the president in court.

A college freshman was deported in shackles while flying home to Texas for Thanksgiving — even after a federal judge prohibited it from happening. Any Lucia Lopez Belloza's dreams were taken from her just because of where she was born. This senseless cruelty must end.

BREAKING: We just filed a class action lawsuit to block school districts from forcing public schools to display the Ten Commandments. With over 1,000 Texas school districts, a class action lawsuit is the most effective way to protect the religious freedom of all students.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Texas' bathroom ban, Senate Bill 8, goes into effect Thursday, December 4. Have questions like: ➡️ Can someone force me to use certain facilities? ➡️ Who can enforce S.B. 8? Get your answers at our virtual training Thursday, December 4, at 6 p.m. CT. Register: aclutx.org/events

Explore the new series of pencil and ink drawings, The New Americans — a visual reflection of our contemporary American moment. The New Americans is a partnership between artist Vincent Valdez and the ACLU of Texas' artist-in-residence program. Learn more:

If you’ve ever found yourself at a holiday meal without the right words to discuss causes you believe in, we’ve got your back. Gear up to navigate conversations about trans rights, immigrants’ rights, and more.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a solemn occasion that reminds us of our shared responsibility to keep each other safe — and to speak out against injustice where it happens. As we mourn those we have lost, we recommit to building a future where no one has to live in fear because of who they are.

We demand transparency and accountability in government actions that impact community-serving nonprofits and remain committed to working toward a freer and fairer Texas for all.

NEW: Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve a settlement in our lawsuit that provides people arrested in the county with an attorney at their first criminal court appearance. We celebrate this step and look forward to working with the county to finalize the agreement.

BREAKING: A federal court has preliminarily blocked the Texas public school districts in our second lawsuit from displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom. This is a win for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Our public schools are for educating, not evangelizing.

BREAKING: Texas cannot use the new racially discriminatory congressional map for the 2026 election, a federal court ruled. This is a victory for fair representation. Texans should pick our politicians — not the other way around. 🗣️ www.texastribune.org/2025/11/18/t...

Trans Texans belong in every part of our communities. We have always existed — and always will.

HOUSTON — January 14, 2026. Join us for “End Cash Bail,” a poetry and visual art exhibit curated by artist-in-residence KB Brookins that uplifts Texans impacted by the state’s money bail system. RSVP: https://action.aclu.org/webform/tx-end-cash-bail.

"I believe as trans people, we deserve to not just mobilize, advocate, and work for liberation in this lifetime — but to experience it." Meet Verniss McFarland (she/her), founder of The Mahogany Project, as we honor Black Trans Empowerment Week. https://bit.ly/3WZkvjm

TEXANS: Let's protect ourselves and the people we love. Join our virtual training to learn about your rights while interacting with law enforcement and immigration officials. This training will be in English and Spanish and requires no registration. More details here: aclutx.org/events

Trans people belong in Texas. Trans people belong everywhere. Happy #TransAwarenessWeek! 🏳️‍⚧️

NEW RESOURCE: Texas’ drag ban is set to go into effect after a new ruling by a federal court — so what does this mean for you? Learn about your rights as a drag performer and ways to support drag artists in Texas:

NEW DATA: ICE's number of average daily arrests in Texas have more than doubled under Trump — leading to one in four arrests across the country. Arrests of people who have not been convicted of a crime have also increased. This is plain cruelty. The ICE detention machine must be shut down.

BREAKING: The U.S. Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide. Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.

Texans have a right to protest. Join our virtual training to learn — ➡️ Which state laws impact speech rights in public spaces.. ➡️ Which state laws impact speech rights in public spaces. ➡️ What to do if approached by law enforcement. Register: aclutx.org/events

BREAKING: Texas’ law banning “sexually oriented performances” — which targets drag performances — is now in effect, after the Fifth Circuit reversed a district court ruling. Drag is not a crime. The First Amendment protects all artistic expression.

Texas college students — If you have questions like: 👉 What are your protest and free speech rights on campus? 👉 Can you face disciplinary action for your speech? 👉 And what Texas laws impact your protest rights? Get the answers you need: aclutx.org/studentprotests

🗣️ Polls close in Texas at 7 p.m. If you're in line when the polls close, stay in line. You have the right to vote. 🗳️☑️ Have questions or run into problems at the polls? Call or text the nonpartisan hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Trained experts are ready to help in multiple languages. 📢

🚨 TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! 🚨 There are 17 constitutional amendments and local races on the ballot in Texas. Don’t miss the chance to make positive change by casting your vote. Headed to the polls? Keep these things in mind...

AWFUL: Any Texas judge can refuse to marry LGBTQIA+ couples, according to a new ruling by the state Supreme Court. Judges are public servants. Offering to do marriages for the general public — then excluding LGBTQIA+ couples — is discriminatory. Full stop.

On Diá de los Muertos, we're honoring all of the lives lost from encounters with Customs and Border Protection. Over 350 migrants have passed since 2010. Their spirit and bravery will always be remembered. May their memory be our impulse to build more compassionate communities.

when you go to a haunted house but instead of clowns and ghosts they bring out all the bad bills that texas lawmakers passed this year #jumpscare

🎃 LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN TEXAS IS TOMORROW! 🎃 There are 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot this election — and Texans should weigh in by casting our votes. Don’t miss the chance to make positive change in our communities by heading to the polls. For more info visit aclutx.org/vote.

Immigration officials in Texas are forcing more and more people into solitary confinement, according to a new report. Long-term isolation can cause or worsen mental illness — and does nothing to promote public safety.

Texas politicians are taking over Fort Worth ISD — a predominantly Black and Brown school district and the ninth largest in Texas. Fort Worth residents should be represented by the officials they elected, not politicians appointed in Austin.

📢 Intersex rights are human rights. Intersex Awareness Week recognizes the diversity of people born with variations in their sex traits — and their right to health, dignity, and freedom. #WhyWeShowUp #IntersexAwarenessWeek

TEXAS: Put casting your ballot on your weekend to-do list. 🗳️ ✅ There are 17 constitutional amendments and local races on the ballot. Don’t miss the chance to make positive change in our communities by heading to the polls. Learn more, including your rights while voting: aclutx.org/vote

From protesting to donating, here are ways you can (still) make a difference:

High speed Border Patrol chases are not only putting migrants’ lives at risk. They’re also breaking landowners’ fences and gates, busting their irrigation pipes, and releasing their cattle — costing them thousands in repairs.

Texas teachers face an impossible decision: Foster a safe learning environment that encourages self-expression and critical thinking — or risk violating new state laws that stifle students’ freedom to learn and be who they are. Our public schools deserve better.

We all have a role to play in making sure Texas students get a quality education in an inclusive environment. Learn how school boards make decisions that impact your community — and how you can get involved. Join our upcoming training ⬇️

🚨EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY IN TEXAS!🚨 There are 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot this election — and Texans should weigh in by casting our votes. Don’t miss the chance to make positive change in our communities by heading to the polls. For more info call 866-OUR-VOTE.

School boards shape the educational experiences of all Texas public school students. We’re hosting a virtual training to help you understand how school boards make the decisions that impact our community. 📅 WHEN: Wednesday, October 22, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Register ⬇️

yeah, we keep it on us (our unrelenting hope for the world around us) We have a right to protest. Learn more: aclutx.org/protest