Cases and Legal Advocacy

One of the main ways ACLU-DC works to protect civil liberties and civil rights is through litigation. This section of our website documents the cases we’re working on now and those we’ve handled in recent years. Click here for general information about what types of cases we litigate.

Important disclaimer: Communicating with us through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship; only a signed agreement can create such a relationship. Additionally, past success is no guarantee of future results, even if we agree to represent you.

Filter Cases
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Jun 21, 2022

ACLU V. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CASE REGARDING NEW PROGRAM TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENT EXTREMISM

National Security/War on Terror
Status: Open
The government has long infringed on Americans’ fundamental rights and liberties under the guise of national security. We want to know DHS’s plan to safeguard civil liberties, civil rights, and privacy, or...
Visit case page
Freedom of Information Privacy Act Request
Apr 8, 2022

ACLU V. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE – FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CASE REGARDING AUTHORITY TO SEIZE AFGHAN FUNDS

National Security/War on Terror
Status: Victory!

On February 11, 2022, President Biden issued an executive order seizing $7 billion of currency reserves belonging to the country of Afghanistan that were being held in the United...

Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 31, 2022

ACLU V. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE – FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CASE REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN FEDERAL PRISONS

Criminal Justice Reform
Status: Open
We filed this lawsuit, together with the ACLU National Prison Project and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, asking the court to compel the BOP to release the requested...
Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 3, 2022

ESCALANTE V. U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT - SEEKING COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR MEDICALLY VULNERABLE ICE DETAINEES (Second Case)

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Victory!
The ACLU-DC filed a lawsuit on behalf of five people in ICE detention facilities who are medically vulnerable to severe illness and death in the event of COVID-19 infection, demanding that they be given COVID-...
Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 15, 2022

ACLU V. U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE – SEEKING TO UNCOVER AN IMPROPER SCHEME TO OPERATE A PRIVATE DETENTION FACILITY

Criminal Justice Reform
Status: Victory!

On February 14, 2022, we filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit on behalf of the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California against the U.S....

Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 7, 2022

AAMIR SHAIKH V. U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) – SEEKING COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR MEDICALLY VULNERABLE ICE DETAINEES

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Victory!
The ACLU-DC filed this lawsuit, together with the ACLU’s National Prison Project and Immigrants’ Rights Project, on behalf of five medically vulnerable people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Visit case page