ACLU of Maine

Early voting is open! There are two statewide referendum questions on all Maine ballots, plus local races in some towns. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to make a plan and make your voice heard.

Support the ACLU of Maine by Supporting Local Art Purchase a limited edition print by October 19 to support the ACLU of Maine and a collaboration among local artists.

Do you love local art and civil liberties? You can support both at the same time! Check out these limited edition prints from artists Ryan and Rachel Adams, printed by Paper Tides of Phippsburg, and place your order by October 19. The artists are generously donating proceeds to the ACLU of Maine ⤵️

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump Birthright Citizenship Executive Order The First Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a trial court’s order blocking enforcement of the president’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship – a blatant violation of

BREAKING: A federal appeals court has upheld our victory blocking the president's executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The 14th Amendment is clear. If you are born in the U.S., you are a U.S. citizen. Read more ⤵️

Did you know a question will be on your ballot this year that could completely upend absentee voting and restrict early voting? Join the weekend of action on October 4 and 5 to encourage Mainers to vote NO on Question 1.

Info + registration >> SaveAbsentee.me/get-involved/

Victory: Our Client Was Released From Unlawful Immigration Detention in Maine A federal court ordered our client released, finding the government had unlawfully jailed him and denied him a bond hearing – a blatant violation of federal law.

As this case moves forward, we’re still working with the ACLU of Massachusetts and other advocates on a class action lawsuit to vindicate the rights of other people in similar situations. Read more about these cases ⤵️

NEW: Our client has been released after CBP unlawfully jailed him for several days. The federal government is systematically violating federal law to jail people without bond hearings.

CBP is not allowed to rewrite the law, and the courts agree.

Did you know a question will be on your ballot this year that could completely upend absentee voting and restrict early voting? Join the weekend of action on October 4 and 5 to encourage Mainers to vote NO on Question 1.

Sign up for an event near you >> SaveAbsentee.me

“Imagine if you had a police officer analyzing every single frame and writing down detailed information about you, and your car and your movements?” said Michael Kebede, policy director at the ACLU of Maine. “That is not at all contemplated by the law. The law is not catching up.”

Portland Stage: Eleanor Roosevelt's Legacy Portland Stage: Raising Awareness & Celebrating Eleanor Roosevelt’s Legacy of Service Work in Human Rights, Women’s Rights, and Social JusticePortland Stage Company is partnering with the ACLU of

TONIGHT: Come see us at Portland Stage for the opening night of Eleanor! This play celebrates Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy of service work in human rights, women’s rights, and social justice.

Plus, ACLU of Maine supporters are invited to use the code Roosevelt15 to receive 15% off tickets. Info ⤵️

The circumstances of the two late night hosts are different, but the message is the same: Censorship has no place on our televisions.

In his first show after being reinstated following his suspension, Jimmy Kimmel greeted the audience with the same opener used by Jack Paar in 1960 when he returned to his show after being censored by his network.

2025 Legislative Report: Building a Firewall for Freedom in Maine The 2025 legislative session presented critical opportunities for Maine lawmakers to push back against the federal government’s attempts to disrupt our legal system and roll back our rights. Learn

Hundreds of new laws took effect today in Maine! Catch up on all of the details from our work during the 2025 legislative session >> ACLUMaine.org/2025LegislativeReport

New Lawsuits: How the ACLU of Maine is Challenging Federal Attacks on Immigrants' Due Process Over the weekend, we won a preliminary victory on behalf of a man unlawfully jailed by federal immigration officials in Maine. Now we've filed a class action lawsuit to uphold the rights of other

Indefinitely jailing people and separating them from their families and legal counsel is not only cruel – it’s against federal law.

Read more about these new cases ⤵️

FILED: We won an order showing ICE and CBP are likely violating due process rights and federal law by denying bond hearings. Now we've filed a class action alongside other advocates to help people in similar situations.

Are you looking for plans for this beautiful weekend? Come see us in Unity at the Common Ground Country Fair through the end of Sunday!

The federal government is abusing its power to silence Americans – from college students and journalists, to late night TV hosts and media figures. The First Amendment is clear: Government officials cannot use their power to censor free speech. Read more about the latest >> tinyurl.com/5bf3cxk6

No Kings October Mobilization Kickoff Call · No Kings The No Kings Coalition is proud to announce a mass call to kick off our the work toward our upcoming October 18th national mobilization! Join us to learn more about the vision, urgency, and strategy...

We the people won't back down or be intimidated.

Join us tomorrow, September 18, for a virtual kickoff call to learn more about the upcoming No Kings protests and hear from movement leaders.

After Arrest at Portland School, ACLU of Maine Reminds School Communities They Have Rights Knowing your rights is a powerful way to keep our communities as safe as possible in the face of rapidly changing immigration enforcement practices.

Learn more and know your rights ⤵️

Knowing your rights is a powerful way to keep your community as safe as possible in the face of rapidly changing immigration enforcement practices. We hope our Know Your Rights information can support our school communities so they feel informed, supported, and empowered.

We had a great time with the community last night for a discussion with our national board president about her new book, along with a panel of Maine-based transportation experts. Learn more about "Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality" >> tinyurl.com/3uyftd7y

ACLU National Board President Deborah Archer in Portland Join us for a conversation with the ACLU's national board president for a talk on her recent book, Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.

TUESDAY: Join us at Mechanics' Hall for an evening with our national board president about her new book, feat. a panel of Maine-based experts. In "Dividing Lines," Archer breaks down how highways, roads, and even sidewalks have an active role in shaping inequality in the U.S.

Register for free ⤵️

Maroon graphic reading "Today's Supreme Court order puts people at grave risk, allowing federal agents in Southern California to target individuals because of their race, how they speak, the jobs they work, or just being at a bus stop or the car wash when ICE agents decide to raid a place. For anyone perceived as Latino by an ICE agent, this means living in a fearful ‘papers please’ regime, with risks of violent ICE arrests and detention." This quote is attributed to Cecillia Wang, the National Legal Director of the ACLU.

Despite today’s outrageous ruling, we all have the right to go about our daily lives free from racial profiling by the federal government.

We will never stop fighting for our civil liberties and our immigrant communities.

Know Your Rights: Back to School Politicians are attacking students' and teachers' rights throughout the country, including here in Maine – but as the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to

The new school year is in full swing! You're voice is your power, so make sure you know your First Amendment rights at school.

See our full Back-to-School guide – created alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @gladlaw.bsky.social – to know all your rights ⤵️

BREAKING: A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration's latest attempt to enforce their discriminatory passport policy.

Transgender, non-binary, and intersex people will continue to be able to obtain accurate passports.

Know Your Rights: Back to School Politicians are attacking students' and teachers' rights throughout the country, including here in Maine – but as the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to

Teachers and staff: as the Trump administration carries out a "mass deportation" agenda, make sure you're prepared to protect your immigrant students' rights. Learn more and see our full Back-to-School guide, created alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @gladlaw.bsky.social ⤵️

As the rest of Maine heads back to school today, make sure your rights are on this year's checklist. Check out our full guide, created alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @gladlaw.bsky.social, at ACLUMaine.org/BackToSchool

If you're out protesting this Labor Day, know your rights so you can make your voice heard. Save this photo so you can know on the go, and learn more at ACLUMaine.org/KnowYourRights

Police in Maine can no longer guess if someone has waived their constitutional rights Police cannot continue questioning someone if their decision to waive their right to legal counsel was “ambiguous,” according to a recent court ruling.

Maine's highest court delivered a major victory for civil liberties on Friday. Our legal director noted that federal courts may continue to erode our most basic rights, so it is essential for state courts to take action by embracing their state constitutions. Read more ⤵️

Weekly Highlights August 25 – 29 After a short summer break, the ACLU of Maine is back in action with a victory from Maine's highest court, a new back-to-school toolkit, and preparations for several upcoming events!

As you enjoy the long weekend, get caught up on what's new at the ACLU of Maine:
✅ A victory at Maine's highest court
✅ Know Your Rights: Back to School
✅ ACLU National Board President Deborah Archer coming to Portland on 9/9

See the latest ⤵️

ACLU National Board President Deborah Archer in Portland Join us for a conversation with the ACLU's national board president for a talk on her recent book, Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.

🗓️ Save the date! The ACLU's national board president, Deborah Archer, will be in Portland to share her new book and host a discussion feat. a panel of Maine experts. In "Dividing Lines," Archer breaks down how infrastructure has played an active role in shaping inequality.

Register for free ⤵️