As immigrants in our communities continue to be targeted and deported, it’s more important than ever that Rhode Island closes a loophole between state and federal law that can cause legal residents who have been here for decades to face automatic deportation for the simplest misdemeanors.

PASSED: Yesterday, the RI House passed the student computer privacy bill for the fourth year in a row! (H7032, S2786) Now the bill just needs to get out of Senate Education committee, and through the Senate.

This week at the RI State House we’re supporting bills for justice reform, kids, and voters. 🧵

SUPPORT: H7032 + S2786 This legislation would protect students’ privacy by putting no-brainer limitations on when school officials can turn on the cameras and microphones on school-loaned computers. Currently, officials can potentially access school-loaned computers even when students are at home.

Nobody should be afraid of seeking essential health care because they might be tracked or surveilled. Read our latest article about two important bills in the RI Legislative Session that could limit how data about you can be used to infer specific personal health care decisions!

A heartfelt thank you for your support during 401Gives! We know our legal and educational work to defend civil liberties in Rhode Island (like yesterday's victory to protect federal housing grants!) would not be possible without your generosity.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! We’re in the last hour and only 14 away from 100 donors, will you help us get there?

Our 401Gives campaign is still going strong! We’re at 69 donors — help us get to 100 donors by 6pm: www.401gives.org/organization...

BREAKING: A federal appeals court just ruled to protect funding for proven solutions to homelessness by refusing to remove a block on the federal government's unlawful restrictions on funding.

VICTORY: A RI judge ruled late yesterday that the Trump administration violated the law in attempting to limit who has access to federal housing funds based on an ideological, partisan agenda.

We would do anything for Ralphie. Here’s a link to our 401Gives page, if you want to support our work: https://www.401gives.org/organizations/aclu-of-rhode-island

Donation Request: I'm in my 2nd board term for ACLU RI very grateful for services we provide to the community. Consider making a donation in any amount to support & show that this work is needed and appreciated. Thank you! www.401gives.org/p2p/648361/y... #401Gives #ACLURI @riaclu.bsky.social

Every week, we’re monitoring civil liberties issues (like privacy!) across the state, and mobilizing people in their communities to stand up for their rights, for wins like this one in January ⬇️ Help us continue this work by making a donation during 401Gives: www.401gives.org/organization...

On this Trans Day of Visibility and every day, we're unwavering in our commitment to fight for the future we deserve. This means being free to travel, access health care, take up space, play sports, and be our authentic selves without government interference — full stop.

RI House Committee on State Government and Elections is scheduled Tuesday to give first vetting to a perennial bill to reform the state Access to Public Records Act. New condition: “draft” label does not exempt record from release. By @nancyklavin.bsky.social rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/03/30/n...

401Gives has begun! So far this year, we've shown up at innumerable municipal meetings, monitored dozens of bills at the State House, and appeared in court in more than a dozen cases to protect your essential civil liberties. We cannot do this work without your support.

📍 downtown Providence

We have the right to record ICE agents, police, and other government officials at work in public. Read up on your rights and our tips to get ready for Saturday's No Kings protests. More info at aclu.org/kyr_record-

We were in court earlier today fighting the Trump administration's unlawful power grab of trying to access Rhode Island voters' personal data!

Judge won’t dismiss @riaclu.bsky.social lawsuit claiming Brown University is subject to public records law www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/25/m...

PRIVACY: We testified in support of RI bill H8077 yesterday, which would create reasonable safeguards around the use and installation of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Now, we need your help to get this bill out of committee!

POLICE TRANSPARENCY: Remember the lawsuit filed on behalf of two journalists after Brown Uni. denied their open records requests for arrest reports? Today, a judge rejected the University’s request to have the case dismissed, allowing the case — and work towards police transparency — to continue.

Rhode Island bills H7305 & S2389 would bring our public records laws into the 21st century, creating long overdue improvements to government transparency at every level in the state — whether that's your local school committee, police departments, or the largest state agencies.

Before joining us in the streets to protest ICE's cruelty, know your rights. Join us March 18 at 8pm ET for a virtual training to learn more about your rights and protest safety.

Here's a throwback to 2008, when we filed an access to public records request for a police report, and it was sent to us with redactions. When the full report was obtained in a lawsuit, we found that the police had literally redacted someone yelling "free speech." Happy Sunshine Week!

When ICE agents tear apart our communities, we take to the streets. When the Trump administration tries to silence dissent, we just get louder. Join us + our coalition partners at the RI State House from 1-4pm on Saturday, March 28!

CASE UPDATE: After the Brown University police refused to fulfill journalists' access to public records requests about arrest records, we sued. This week, we filed a memo asking the court to allow the case to continue, because transparency is critical to police accountability.

PRIORITY BILL heard yesterday: H7357 + S2992 would ensure that companies would have to get explicit consent before collecting or sharing any data related to your reproductive or gender-affirming health care decisions — like GPS location, purchase history, or biometric data. For example...

PRIVACY LOSS: Yesterday, the Tiverton Town Council voted 6-1 to approve the RI State Police’s request to install two Flock Safety brand automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in the town.

The courts in Rhode Island have started a trial run of facial recognition program to monitor "potential threats” before finalizing ANY policies around the technology’s use, and without any sort of public notification or input.

We're in Cranston, about to begin our Legislative Advocacy Training. Join us live on YouTube: youtube.com/live/PPXECxh... We'll be discussing how bills become law, tips for testifying at the State House, and resources to help you get involved this Legislative Session.

A few important bills being heard this week in Rhode Island, as the Legislative Session is in full swing!  Here are a series of bills we support that you can contact your state legislators about… 🧵

Across the country, people are resisting Flock Safety's mass spying. It's time for this invasive technology to get the Flock out of our communities.

In one week we'll be in Cranston to present again about our state's legislative process and how to get involved — join us! Free for all, registration is required: www.riaclu.org/event/legisl...

FREE SPEECH: We filed a brief in a case about public employees’ ability to speak in their personal capacity on important public issues, even if the speech is “disparaging” or “mocking." The outcome of this case could potentially undermine public employees’ ability to speak on ANY issue. Read more ⬇️

We held one of three Legislative Advocacy Trainings in East Providence on Saturday — thank you to everyone who joined us, and to guest legislator Rep. Speakman.

“Each additional attempt by the federal government to restrict funding for these life-saving services — now weaponizing citizenship status to exclude survivors from receiving support — is as cruel and unlawful as the last." Read the latest ⬇️

The RI Legislative Session is on break this week, which is a great time to get caught up on our priority bills — and to contact your state legislators about them! Check out our legislative dashboard ⬇️ https://www.riaclu.org/legislative-session-dashboard/

Last Monday, we hosted a webinar to explain how hundreds of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have spread across Rhode Island — and what you can do about it. Watch the recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjNbUntZV00

Only 15 spots left for our Legislative Advocacy Training in East Providence next Sat., Feb. 21! Learn about the RI legislative process and how to be an effective advocate. Registration is required: https://www.riaclu.org/events/ (We also have trainings on March 7 in Cranston + March 21 in Newport!)

Now, more than ever, these bills are crucial for immigrants’ rights in Rhode Island. We will continue to advocate for their passage, and we urge you to contact your state legislators in support of these bills.

This week in the RI Legislative Session: We submitted testimony on a series of bills in the House about police accountability, felony offenses, and privacy. 🧵 1/4

For a third time, we're suing the RI Dept. of Corrections for refusing to accommodate religious practices that incarcerated Native American people are routinely allowed to practice in prisons across the country. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right, even if you're incarcerated.

What? A webinar! When? Monday, Feb. 9 at 6pm! About? License plate reader cameras in RI! …If you want to be up-to-date on this widespread surveillance technology in Rhode Island.  Register to get the Zoom link: https://www.riaclu.org/event/webinar-more-than-just-license-plates-surveillance-in-ri/

We’re calling on Brown University, and other colleges, to reject the PVD Police’s request to share campus camera feeds with the city’s Real Time Crime Center. We have serious privacy concerns about this surveillance system given there are no state laws regulating the collection/use of data.

NEW BRIEF: We think the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s argument that they should have access to RI’s entire non-public voter file is “...an affront to the rule of law, the role of the judiciary, and the intelligence and rights of the American public.” Filed with @aclu.org + @commoncauseri.bsky.social

The Judicial Nominating Commission, a public body, meets to screen potential court justice appointments — decisions which can affect Rhode Islanders for decades to come. Currently, people have to sign up two full weeks (!) in advance to speak during the public comment period of their meetings.

Gov’t transparency perspective on H7403, which we OPPOSE: Public officials’ accountability to the people that they serve is enhanced when they meet in-person. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/29/s...

Rhode Islanders, this is a reminder to understand your right to protest! https://www.riaclu.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-protests-demonstrations/

If you’re a student, or know a student, who is planning to walk out, send them this information about their protest rights!