TEXANS: Join us in El Paso on Friday, June 12 for the ACLU of Texas 2026 Advocacy Summit as we discuss this year's theme, "250 Years Later: Where’s Democracy?" Interpretación en español disponible. Save your spot today and sign up: https://action.aclu.org/event/tx-advocacy-summit-2026

Our June book club pick is here. This month, we’re reading excerpts from Audre Lorde’s collection of essays, "Sister Outsider." Swipe for the suggested reading schedule ahead of our virtual discussion on Saturday, June 20, at noon CT. Sign up: https://action.aclu.org/webform/tx-bookclub

Early voting begins TODAY in Texas' primary runoff election. Texans: It's time to use our vote as our voice to demand what we're due. Vote early beginning today — Monday, May 18 — through Friday, May 22, or on Primary Runoff Election Day, May 26.

Get your tickets while they last! Join us for our 2026 Advocacy Summit with Angela Rye, Carlos Marentes, and Oni K. Blair. Friday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. MT The Philanthropy Theatre El Paso, Texas 🎟️ aclutx.org/2026-summit

Texas’ extreme immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4 (2023), is partially in effect. What you should know as our lawsuit continues:

BREAKING: A federal court has blocked key provisions of S.B. 4 (2023) — Texas’ extreme immigration enforcement law — from taking effect May 15. Immigration enforcement is exclusively a federal issue and not up to the states. Texas should stop wasting time trying to override the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Supreme Court weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act — opening the door for states to further dilute the political power of Black voters. What Louisiana v. Callais means for Texans: a thread

TOMORROW: Join us at 6 p.m. CT for a Know Your Rights presentation on protesting in Texas. Learn about your rights, Texas laws impacting public protest, and what to do if approached by law enforcement. Register: https://www.aclutx.org/event/know-your-rights-protest-webinar-3/

🗣️ Register now for our 2026 Advocacy Summit in El Paso. This year’s theme — “250 Years Later: Where’s Democracy?” — asks one of the most urgent questions of our time from one of the most important places in America. Interpretación en español disponible. RSVP: aclutx.org/2026-summit

Ruben Martinez — a 23-year-old Texas man and U.S. citizen — was shot and killed by an ICE agent in March 2025. It went unreported for nearly a year.

Join us virtually Saturday, May 16, to discuss “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward with our special guest speakers, Briana Blueitt and DaLyah Jones. You do not need to have finished the book to join us and hear from our speakers. RSVP: https://secure.ngpvan.com/icFcs2WK3U2vWJkeU2wu7w2

WE'RE HIRING! 📣 Apply to join our team of passionate advocates as we work toward a more just Texas — together. Learn more about these open roles at aclutx.org/careers.

BREAKING: We and partners filed a class-action lawsuit to block provisions of Senate Bill 4 before May 15. This law would allow police to arrest, detain, and remove people they suspect entered Texas without federal authorization.

TEXANS: Protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing your rights. Join us for our free virtual Know Your Rights series throughout May. Learn more: aclutx.org/events

TODAY is the deadline to register to vote in Texas’ upcoming primary runoff election. ➡️ Register by: April 27 ➡️ Vote early: May 18-22 ➡️ Runoff Election Day: May 26 Learn more — like how to know if you’re eligible to vote or what to do if you’ve moved or changed your name — at aclutx.org/vote

Do you believe that stories spark imagination, connection, and change? Our community of readers is growing — and we want you to be a part of it. 📚🫵❤️ Join us Saturday, May 16, at noon CT for our virtual discussion of “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward. https://action.aclu.org/webform/tx-bookclub

“Fires” is the newest drawing by Artist-in-Residence Vincent Valdez in his series, The New Americans — a visual reflection of our contemporary American moment. Download the drawings for free and share them in classrooms, community spaces, and public forums: aclutx.org/newamericans

BREAKING: A federal appeals court ruled it is illegal for President Trump to unilaterally shut down the southern border for asylum seekers. People fleeing danger have a right to seek safety in the U.S.

Abortion care matters for everyone who can get pregnant — including trans, nonbinary, and intersex people. As Texans, we believe in the freedom to make our own choices about our bodies, our families, and our futures without politicians interfering in our lives.

By repealing Prop A, Houston City Council greenlit deeper collaboration between ICE and the Houston Police Department. The majority of Texans do not want local police doing the job of immigration agents. When our council members don't listen to us, they will hear it at the ballot box.

Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening some $200 million from Houston, Dallas, and Austin unless they bow to the governor and increase collaboration with ICE. 🧵

We are open for collabs. 👀 🤝 Do you use your platform to uplift, inform, and empower Texans? We're building our directory of content creators — and we need your help. Drop your Instagram or TikTok username(s) below ⬇️ or let us know you're open for collabs via email at [email protected].

"I know they want to make me disappear. I don’t know where they want to send me.” Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old mom — and Texas’ only licensed Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu legal interpreter — has been taken by ICE. ICE needs to be held accountable for the atrocities they are inflicting on our families.

We want all the bookworms out there to join us! 🫵🐛 Attend our virtual book club this Saturday, April 18, at noon CT to discuss “Are Prisons Obsolete?” by Angela Davis. Link to sign up: https://secure.ngpvan.com/Sgt6pXMX1E2I507Q9IuiNw2#!

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 🗣 What: Virtual webinar to equip and empower all Texans with information on what to do if approached by law enforcement and immigration officials. When: Wednesday, April 15, 6 - 7:30 p.m. CT Where: Zoom link below! Join us! Registration is not required to attend the webinar. 👇

Texas — let's make our voices heard at the polls in the statewide primary runoff election. ➡️ Are you registered to vote? ➡️ Need to check your status or register for the first time? Get the info you need at our Election Hub at aclutx.org/vote. 🗳️

NEW: Houston City Council voted today to end the practice of holding people based solely on ICE administrative warrants. These warrants are not signed by a judge, and detaining someone based on one violates the Fourth Amendment.

A Texas university censored an art exhibition about being Latino in the United States — due to concerns about its "anti-ICE messaging." Let's be clear: Silencing artwork displayed on campus just because officials don’t agree with what is expressed is wrong.

We are less than two weeks away from our next In The Margins book club gathering. WHO: All Texas bookworms! ❤️📚 WHAT: "Are Prisons Obsolete?" by Angela Davis. WHEN: Saturday, April 18, at noon CT. WHERE: Virtual. 🛜 Learn more and register: secure.ngpvan.com/Sgt6pXMX1E2I...

New ACLU of Texas merch, same values! ✨ Wear your trans pride, celebrate immigrants, and advocate for a fair justice system with our new merch line. Visit aclutx.org/store to browse our catalog with shirts, mugs, tote bags, and notebooks to choose from.

Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old father who supported the U.S. Army, died one day after being held in ICE detention. He is now the 12th person to die in ICE custody this year. This cannot become our new normal.

TEXANS: Join us for our free virtual Know Your Rights series throughout April! Protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing your rights. Learn more at at aclutx.org/events.

Over the weekend, millions of people across the country — and throughout Texas — took to the streets to reclaim power, express solidarity, and condemn President Trump’s escalating abuses of power. Justice doesn’t trickle down from institutions. It is demanded and defended by the people.

“Our ability to learn, protest, and speak freely is the foundation of higher education and our democracy.” While colleges have long been pillars of free expression and open discussion, lawmakers are restricting these rights and alienating students and faculty. Read the full blog below.

⚠️ Las personas sin estatus legal deben considerar los riesgos de volar, incluso en vuelos domésticos. Hay 14 aeropuertos en los Estados Unidos, incluidos dos en Texas, con presencia de ICE. https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/spanish_kyr_enforcement_at_the_airport.pdf

For months, ICE has been targeting young children — arresting children with cancer, patrolling near schools, and even "deporting" U.S. citizen kids. Let us be clear: Cruelty to children solves nothing, but harms many. https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ice-stop-terrorizing-children

NEW: A law targeting drag in Texas is now in effect. Let’s be clear: NOT all drag is banned. The court made clear that all-ages and family-friendly drag shows remain fully legal. Learn more about Texas' Senate Bill 12 (88R) and know your rights at aclutx.org/dragban.

We're hiring! ❤️ Social movements throughout U.S. history have used the arts to secure civil rights and individual freedoms. Help us support cultural leaders and institutions statewide as our new Artist Engagement Manager! Learn more and apply at aclutx.org/jobs.

"She said she didn’t want to live anymore because she preferred to die rather than having to keep living in confinement.” Hundreds of young children and families face cruel conditions while detained at Dilley Detention Center near San Antonio. No one should be forced to live this way.

Houston police shouldn’t be babysitting for ICE. It’s not their job, it erodes community trust, and it diverts resources away from the needs of the people our city is supposed to serve.

📢 Apply to be a summer 2026 intern! 🧡 Ready to join in on the action at the ACLU of Texas? Apply for our paid summer internship program! Internships are remote, with some in-person opportunities available. Learn more and apply by Monday, March 23 at aclutx.org/careers.

Two high school Mariachi bandmates and brothers who were detained by ICE have now been released — after community members and political leaders intervened. We will not let ICE’s rampant abuses go unchecked.

This ICE detention center is the largest in the country and has become notorious for rampant physical abuse, medical neglect, and death. We won't let up the pressure until it's shut down for good.

ICE detention centers are killing people. Six people have died in just six weeks while detained by ICE in Texas. No one should experience this kind of abuse and neglect. And Texas taxpayers are helping to fund it.

🚨CONDADO DE EL PASO: Horas de votación en las casillas se han extendido hasta las 8 p.m., hora local, tras los problemas de la mañana. Puede votar si está en la fila antes de las 8 p.m., hora local.

🚨EL PASO COUNTY: Voting hours have been extended to 8 p.m. MT after issues at polling locations this morning. You can still vote as long as you’re in line by 8 p.m. MT. Need help voting? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or visit 866ourvote.org.

🚨CONDADO DE DALLAS: Horas de votación en casillas demócrata se han extendido hasta las 9:00 p.m., hora central. Puede votar si está en la fila antes de las 9:00 p.m., hora central, y asegúrese de revisar su precinto antes de ir a la casilla.

🚨DALLAS COUNTY: Voting hours at Democratic polling locations have been extended to 9 p.m. CT. You can still vote as long as you’re in line by 9 p.m. CT. Check your precinct before you go. Need help voting? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or visit 866ourvote.org.

🚨 DALLAS COUNTY: Voting hours at Democratic polling locations have been extended to 9 p.m. CT. You can still vote as long as you’re in line by 9 p.m. CT. Check your precinct before you go. Need help voting? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or visit 866ourvote.org.

If you’re in line when polls close at 7 p.m. local time, STAY IN LINE! Anyone who’s in line to vote when the polls close has the right to cast a ballot. If someone tells you differently, call or text 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)