In Michigan, where state civil rights protections extend to transgender people, U-M and Corewell’s decisions to stop providing gender-affirming care to trans minors appears to be “clearly discriminatory,” according to ACLU-MI staff attorney Jay Kaplan. bridgemi.com/michigan-he...

Thank you to everyone who voiced their fierce opposition to Center Line entering into an agreement that allows their police officers to do federal immigration enforcement – round up and detain immigrants – on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In response to the increasingly aggressive and dehumanizing immigration enforcement methods being deployed across the country, Senate Bills 508, 509, and 510, aim to protect Michigan families by creating meaningful, common sense protections. Make your voice heard: secure.ngpvan.com/6qW40f-s10iM...

About a hundred federal courts nationwide have ruled that noncitizens like Jose Contreras Cervantes, who have been living in the U.S., have the right to go before an immigration court judge and seek release. www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-ju...

Happy Native American Heritage Month! We are proud to celebrate and uplift the cultures, traditions, art, and stories of Native American communities while ensuring their rights are protected under Michigan law.

"It’s most important to have a crisis intervention team of officers who have a really good understanding of mental illness so they can calm the person down. In this case, there was zero de-escalation done.” Amir Makled, Civil rights attorney www.metrotimes.com/news/expert...

Thank you to the thousands of people who joined a No Kings protest this past Saturday. This is truly what democracy looks like.

BREAKING NEWS - DAD WITH LEUKEMIA IS FREE!! Jose Contreras Cervantes, who has a rare form of Leukemia and was arrested and detained for more than 2 months, was released today and has been reunited with his family where he belongs!

Read the full press release here: www.aclumich.org/en/press-re...

If you're taking to the streets to protest today, know your rights.

Here's what you need to know about your protest rights when attending a No Kings rally this weekend:

Gabriela Mistral was a Chilean poet and activist whose work explored love in all its forms. She was the first Latine poet to win a Nobel Prize for literature, and she tirelessly advocated for human rights and democracy.

ICE has stolen precious time from the Contreras-Cervantes family. The scope of this injustice is why Lupita, despite the tremendous hardships she and her family are facing, wants to share her family’s story. Read the full blog here: www.aclumich.org/en/news/dad...

Our client Jose Contreras turned 34 this week in immigration detention with his family singing Happy Birthday to him virtually. We will continue fighting to bring Jose home so he and his kids can celebrate his release – and a belated birthday – together. Families belong together.

Willy Chavarria was born to a Mexican-American father and an Irish-American mother in segregated Fresno, California in the 1950s. Due to his experiences with multiethnic parents, his identity as a queer man, and his migrant and working-class roots...

ACLU-MI filed a federal lawsuit demanding that 8 people detained by ICE, including a father of three US citizen children who suffers from leukemia and has had his life-saving treatments disrupted while in custody, be immediately released or given bond hearings within seven days.

Happy Michigan Library Appreciation Month! Librarians, along with groups like the ACLU, have been on the frontlines in fighting back against attempts at censorship. Read more about these efforts here: www.aclumich.org/en/news/sup...

Powerful conversation on @michigan_public Stateside with two Michigan moms talking to host @aprilbaer about their transgender children www.michiganpublic.org/stateside/2...

Excellent and uplifting article in Politico about how immigrants targeted by the Trump administration are turning to federal courts – citing violations of legal and constitutional rights – and WINNING! #resist #keepfightingback #winingincourt www.politico.com/news/2025/0...

Sonia Sotomayor has a storied history of blazing trails for Latinas. In 1992, she became the first Latina federal judge in New York State and the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a judge in a U.S. federal court.

A BIG thank you to our supporters who turned out for our first Power and Purpose training last weekend. Michigan had more volunteers join us than anywhere else! Thank you for sticking with us, and be sure to sign up for updates on future opportunities: www.aclumich.org/

ACLU-MI and MIRC released an issue brief on legal risks with immigration enforcement to provide support and guidance to local law enforcement agencies in navigating their relationships with the federal government. Find the full press release here: www.aclumich.org/en/press-re...

While Brown v. Board of Education is a widely known landmark Supreme Court case, few can trace its origins to the case of eight-year-old Sylvia Mendez in Mendez v. Westminster.

“I’m so glad Julisa is getting the recognition she deserves. She is a trusted and passionate advocate because she knows the reality for many transgender people, particularly transgender women of color.” Jay Kaplan, ACLU-MI LGBTQ+ Rights Attorney pridesource.com/article/jul...

"When you consider the controversial nature of the issue we can only marvel at the conviction and incredible courage it took for her to follow her conscience, and her heart.” Mark Fancher, ACLU-MI Racial Justice Project Attorney www.northjersey.com/story/opini...

‘More than six months into a national crackdown on illegal immigration touted as targeting violent offenders, immigrants who have never been convicted of a crime now make up the majority of those arrested by Detroit’s ICE field office.' www.detroitnews.com/story/news/...

"An easy way...to demonstrate solidarity is to simply show up. Patronize restaurants and shops owned by immigrants. And attend any of the festivals and events being held across the state beginning Sept. 15." Elvira Hernandez, ACLU-MI Read the blog here: www.aclumich.org/en/news/spo...

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are tearing immigrants away from their families and communities, often without due process or even identifying themselves—and they want local law enforcement to help them. Sadly, some agencies in Michigan already have.

Christopher Gibson was going through a mental health crisis when he suffered at the hands of Warren police. No one should ever face that kind of abuse. That’s why we filed a lawsuit last month. Read more about Mr. Gibson’s case here: www.aclumich.org/en/news/men...

Our client, Juan Lopez-Campos was picked up by immigration authorities after a routine traffic stop and thrown in immigration detention for more than two months. Juan is now home with his family. Read about Juan Lopez-Campos' legal experience here: www.aclumich.org/en/news/imm...

The American Civil Liberties of Michigan strongly condemns the Michigan House of Representatives' passage of HB 4024, a bill that would prohibit transgender students from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity in public schools.

"This detention facility is just part of the mass deportation scheme that's resulting in the separation of families, of community members being ripped out of places they've lived for a long time." Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah, ACLU-MI Legal Fellow www.detroitnews.com/story/news/...

Juan Manuel Lopez-Campos was released from immigration detention today after a federal district court ordered his immediate release or a bond hearing in response to a case filed by the ACLU of Michigan. You can find the full press release here: www.aclumich.org/en/press-re...

"... We cannot afford to carve out exceptions for who deserves the protection of the rights in our constitution. The promise of our constitution must be for everyone or it is for no one." Loren Khogali, ACLU-MI Executive Director www.aclumich.org/en/news/opi...

🌈 With trans rights under attack, your voice matters more than ever. Find your people. Find your allies. Speak up for what’s right💪 The future is bright—& it belongs to you. Find resources at the link in our bio! #TransRightsAreHumanRights #BackToSchool #ProtectTransYouth

"The Trump administration...is now claiming the right to hold immigrants who they charge with no bond hearing at all complete denial of due process. That's what happened to our client who is a 26-year resident of this country." - Phil Mayor, ACLU-MI www.fox2detroit.com/video/1698346

"It is profoundly disappointing that University of Michigan made this decision [to end gender-affirming care for trans youth]...the university could have chosen to fight this." - Jay Kaplan, ACLU-MI LGBTQ+ Rights Staff Attorney www.michiganpublic.org/stateside/2...

ACLU Applauds Federal Judge’s Decision to Order Immediate Release or Bond Hearing for a Longtime Detroit Resident in Immigration Detention Read the full press release here: www.aclumich.org/en/press-re...

Students don’t shed their rights when the bell rings. A Michigan student was shamed for refusing to recite the Pledge. But she chose silence, or dissent. Schools must respect every student's 1st Amendment rights. #KnowYourRights #FreeSpeech #StudentRights

The ACLU of Michigan is hiring its next West Michigan Legal Fellow. This internally-funded position in our Grand Rapids office starts in fall 2026 and is designed to provide emerging social justice leaders with excellent training in impact litigation. Apply today!

"Clients I’ve had have been evicted from their homes when behind in bonds for misdemeanor cases. That type of thing doesn’t make us more safe." - Philip Mayor, ACLU-MI Senior Staff Attorney www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/...

Today, staff attorney Ramis Wadood was in court on behalf of Juan Lopez-Campos, a longtime Detroit resident in immigration detention, demanding that Mr. Lopez-Campos be given a bond hearing so he can have a chance of coming home to his family while his immigration case proceeds.

Some lawmakers are again attacking trans youth in Michigan to score political points. House Bill 4024 would prohibit trans kids from using restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity – a violation of our state civil rights law.

🌈 Yes, we’re under attack. But we’re also rising. Find joy, because thriving is an act of resistance. 💪 We are so proud of you. www.protecttransyouthmichigan.org/ #TransRights #Vote #YouBelong #ProtectTransYouth #ThrivingNotHiding

"We still have our voices — and our votes — and advocates around the country are working to reverse these ['Big Beautiful Bill' Medicaid] cuts. There’s a role for everyone to play, especially during Congress’ August recess." www.metrotimes.com/news/opinio...

Kyle Zawacki, ACLU-MI Legislative Director, spoke in Lansing today in support of HB 4796. This bill would prohibit military forces from outside of Michigan from coming into our state without the Governor's approval.

This year: more color, more courage, more YOU. 🌈 If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, know this—there’s a place for you, and it’s waiting. 💜 protecttransyouthmichigan.org/ #BeYourself #BackToSchool #LGBTQYouth #ProtectTransYouth

"This is an ongoing problem. A county jail, if they were to deny her medical treatment, that would be highly problematic." Jay Kaplan, ACLU-MI LGBTQ+ Rights Attorney www.freep.com/story/news/...

“What happened to Mr. Gibson graphically highlights how ill-equipped police officers can be when interacting with people experiencing mental health issues.” Syeda Davidson, ACLU-MI Senior Staff Attorney View the full video here: youtu.be/sKPqNtzVtes

If you are feeling afraid or angry about the direction of our country and unsure how to take meaningful action, the Power & Purpose Training is for you. Sign up here: secure.ngpvan.com/rDArF4ysFka...