ACLU of the District of Columbia

Building Safety Through Resources - ACLU of DC Research has demonstrated that places with higher rates of poverty experience more crime. To build communities that are safe and advance justice for all, D.C. must invest in reaching people with the r...

Read the report to learn more about how D.C. leaders can provide a path to a safer, stronger D.C. for all: www.acludc.org/publications...

The programs and initiatives discussed in this report are just a sample of non-carceral solutions to the challenges that too many District residents face.

Still, they are an important start to investing in ways that District residents can not only survive, but thrive.

These recommendations include supporting:

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families through a child tax credit and subsidized childcare

📚 Young people by increasing funding to youth programs

🫂 People returning to our communities after reincarceration by increasing funding to holistic reentry programs.

A quote graphic with a light yellow background and blue and red text that reads: “The safest communities are the ones with the most resources, not the most police. To keep people in D.C. safe during this presidential administration and beyond, our local leaders need to invest in reaching people with the resources they need when they need them most. —Alicia Yass, Supervising Policy Counsel, ACLU of the District of Columbia.” The ACLU-D.C. logo is in the bottom left corner.

“Building Safety Through Resources” recommends specific strategies and programs that D.C. lawmakers should implement to support families, youth, and people reentering communities after incarceration.

This report comes within a week of the D.C. Council voting to fund the nation’s first child tax credit (which is a key recommendation of the report) & amid the backdrop of the Trump admin. extending orders for the D.C. National Guard to patrol D.C. streets through February 2026.

A graphic with blue and white dual-tone photos of people in a garden and a family playing together side by side at the top. Below is white, blue, and red text against a light yellow background that reads: "New Report: Building Safety Through Resources: A Better Path to Public Safety in D.C. Published November 13, 2025." The ACLU-D.C. logo is in the bottom right corner.

NEW: Today, we released a report detailing how D.C. leaders can implement proven solutions that build safety and security through focusing on prevention and support, instead of over-relying on policing and jails. 🧵

Dark purple graphic with an image of masked military troops and white text as a quote: "Us being out there is not sending a message other than clear provocation to our own populace." The quote is attributed to "An anonymous DC National Guardsman on President Trump's decision to deploy troops into the city."

President Trump's deployment of armed National Guard troops to D.C. doesn't make us safer. This blatant power grab is about creating fear and further eroding our democracy.

Let's be clear: if troops or federal agents violate our rights, they must be held accountable.

LGBTQ+ Rights - ACLU of DC The ACLU works to ensure equal treatment and equal dignity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. For example, we are working to safeguard marriage equality, ensure fair treatment of LGBT...

The Supreme Court's decision to not take up a challenge to marriage equality protection was a win for LGBTQ+ rights, but the fight—especially for trans rights—is far from over.

Check out how we're defending and advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the District: https://www.acludc.org/issues/lgbt-rights/

What the First Amendment Really Protects From protests and journalism to social media and campus speech, explore how the First Amendment safeguards everyone — including immigrants — and what it actually covers.

The First Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy. It allows us to express our views, challenge authority, and engage in public debate.

Explore how the First Amendment safeguards everyone—including immigrants—and what it actually covers: https://bit.ly/3XnRmyn

Military, Veterans, and Families in Defense of the Constitution Take action with ACLU People Power!

If you or a loved one has served in the military, join us this Veterans Day in telling the Trump administration to stop unjustified domestic deployments: act.aclu.org/a/service-me...

Blue graphic with white text that reads, "Military members swore an oath to defend the Constitution, not bend to the will of the president."

Our military relies on public trust that service members will uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of personal loyalties or political opinions. President Trump's deployment of troops to police civilians in D.C. and other major U.S. cities undermines that trust.

The ACLU has long defended and advanced the civil liberties of veterans and servicemembers. As far as we've come, there's still work to do.

We mark this Veterans Day with a continued commitment to advancing the rights of veterans, servicemembers, and their families in D.C.

A graphic with a dark blue background and white and red text that reads: "Democracies don't function without dissent." Below is a collage of an image of a mass protest and a cut-out image of a bull-horn set against a red abstract shape. In the bottom left corner is the ACLU-D.C. logo.

ICYMI: dissent is patriotic.

Juveniles in DC detention center still waiting for services, new lawsuit brief says Juveniles in D.C.'s detention center are still facing long wait times before being transferred to long-term facilities with appropriate rehabilitative services.

Forcing kids to sit in "kid jail" instead of providing rehabilitative services so they can return to their communities is not only failing our youth; it's also creating a public health and public safety crisis in D.C.

https://bit.ly/3WMaXs0

BREAKING: The 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.

Sending troops onto American streets puts all our basic rights at risk. Sam O'Hara—a District resident who was handcuffed and detained after playing the "Imperial March" theme to protest troops in D.C.—has an important message to share during this critical moment: Stay resilient.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT SCHOOL IN D.C. - ACLU of DC You don’t lose your rights just because you enter a school!

Usually, students and young people have the same rights as anyone else under the First Amendment. In schools, however, students' First Amendment rights are not absolute.

Read our guide to learn more about how the First Amendment applies to students: www.acludc.org/know-your-ri...

This Supreme Court decision not only undermines the ACLU's ongoing lawsuit against the Trump admin.'s discriminatory policy, it also undermines transgender people's freedom to have their government documents reflect their identity.

Transgender people deserve equal treatment and equal dignity, too.

BREAKING: The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to enforce its discriminatory passport policy while our lawsuit makes its way through the courts.

This decision undermines the freedom of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people to have our IDs reflect who we are.

Sepia-toned image of Barbara Cameron standing on a balcony, with quote: “It's important for us as Indian People, as we reclaim and revitalize our languages and traditions, to include the heritage and contributions of Indian lesbians and gay men.' Text identifies her as a two-spirit activist for Indigenous and queer rights. A Native American Heritage Month banner and ACLU logo appear below."

Barbara Cameron dedicated her life to creating support networks for her Indigenous queer community in San Francisco. Her legacy inspires our work to build community safety and agency in D.C., protecting and advancing civil liberties and rights for everyone in the District.

Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops in D.C. - ACLU of DC No matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution, including our rights to peaceful assembly and due process.

Explore our comprehensive guide—translated into Amheric, French, Mandarin and Spanish—on your rights when encountering law enforcement and military troops in D.C.: www.acludc.org/know-your-ri...

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of ICE agents running horizontal across the top of the graphic. Below red and white text reads: “If you’re asked about your immigration status: Do not lie about your citizenship status, your name, or provide false documents. Generally, you have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status (or anything else). It’s important to note that if you invoke this right and/or do not have the proper papers, an immigration officer might detain you for longer to verify your citizenship status.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of an immigration visa running vertical along the right side of the graphic. To the left is white text that reads: “If you’re asked about your immigration status: If you are not a U.S. citizen, the law may require you to carry specific immigration documents for your specific immigration status and provide them when a government official requests your immigration papers. Official identification from a country besides the United States does not establish your right to be in the United States and may cause government officials to view you with greater suspicion.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of a client meeting with their lawyer running horizontal across the top of the graphic. Below red and white text reds: “If you’re asked about your immigration status: Carry with you evidence of having been in the U.S. for longer than two years, such as mail that you have received at your home address with a postmark or a signed lease as these may help reduce the risk of being put in a deportation process without the ability to argue your case. For more information about specific immigration statuses, and what documentation is required to be carried by a person with that status, you should consult an attorney.” The ACLU-DC is in the bottom left corner.

And despite the Trump administration’s attempts at fear and intimidation, make no mistake: everyone in D.C. has rights, regardless of who they are and their immigration status.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of a National Guard troop in the DC metro running vertical along the right side of the graphic. To the left is white text that reads: “Always remain calm and never physically resist or obstruct law enforcement. Keep your hands visible. You may ask if you’re free to leave at any point in your interaction. Say, “Am I free to go?” If the answer is “yes,” you’re free to walk away. If the answer is no, you’ve been stopped and must remain where you are until you have been told that you’re free to go.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of a police officer stopping a woman in her car running horizontal across the top of the graphic. Below white text reads: “You don’t have to answer a government official's questions except if you’re stopped for certain traffic, parking, or pedestrian offenses, when you must provide your name and address if asked. If you don’t want to answer a question, say, “I want to remain silent.” Government officials cannot detain you without reasonable suspicion that you have or are about to commit a crime or are in the process of doing so.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of the tops of police cars running horizontal across the top of the graphic. Below white text reads: “Take mental notes about what’s happening—including on what occurred before you were stopped, what the official says and does while you’re stopped, and whether anyone is documenting what occurred—so you can tell a lawyer if you think your rights were violated. If an official asks to search you or your belongings, you have the right to say no, but do not obstruct access. The official may have lawful authority to conduct the search anyway. If the official begins conducting a search, say clearly: “I do not consent to a search.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of a person holding up their phone running vertical along the right side of the graphic. To the left is white text that reads: “Remember you don’t have to unlock your phone or give government officials your password without a warrant. For additional security, turn off biometric identification such as Face ID. No matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution, including our rights to peaceful assembly.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

In deciding how to interact with law enforcement, federal agents, and military officers, make sure to prioritize your safety, even if you feel that you’re being treated unfairly or illegally.

Graphic with black background and a red and black dual-tone image of a DC metropolitan police officer running horizontal across the top of the graphic. Below red and white text reads: “What to do when you’re stopped by law enforcement or national guard troops.” At the bottom of the image is the ACLU-DC graphic to the left and a red right-pointing arrow to the right.

With National Guard troops stationed in D.C. through at least February 2026, it's important to know your rights if you're stopped by law enforcement or military troops in the District. ⤵️

We’re disappointed that the D.C. Council continues to focus on punishment rather than creating opportunities for youth in the District—like jobs, programming, and safe places to be at night—that recognize their full humanity.

Congress: Support D.C. Statehood Now D.C. statehood would grant full and equal rights to over 700,000 residents currently denied representation. Tell Congress to take action now.

The people of D.C. deserve the same protections against federal overreach & abuse of power as the people of every other state. We need people of conscience across the country to join us in the fight for D.C. Statehood.

Join us: action.aclu.org/send-message...

Exclusive: National Guard orders in DC extended through February 2026 | CNN Politics National Guard troops deployed in Washington, DC will remain mobilized in the city at least through February 2026, according to people familiar with the Guard’s orders.

Last week the Secretary of Defense extended the National Guard deployment in D.C. to February 2026. President Trump’s unprecedented siege shows just how dangerous it is for D.C. to continue to be denied statehood. 1/2

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/29/politics/national-guard-dc-extension-february-2026

Court Strikes Down Key Part of Trump’s Unlawful Voting Executive Order, Permanently Blocking Show-Your-Papers Requirement - ACLU of DC A federal court today issued a decisive ruling permanently blocking a provision of President Trump’s March voting executive order

Our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter can register and vote free from expensive and unnecessary requirements.

www.acludc.org/press-releas...

A federal court issued the ACLU a Halloween treat on Friday by permanently blocking part of President Trump's executive order unnecessarily requiring documentary proof-of-citizenship on the federal voter registration form—a policy that would've disproportionately impacted voters of color.

Deployments At Our Doorstep | American Civil Liberties Union As federal agents and military troops arrive in their cities across the country, communities have used pop culture references, humor, and irreverence as an act of resilience.

“I think people should be watching D.C. And the rest of the nation should say we're gonna resist when they start with D.C.”

Listen to our E.D. Monica Hopkins & @wkamaubell.bsky.social discuss the national impacts of Pres. Trump's D.C. power grab, D.C. resistance & more:
www.aclu.org/podcast/depl...