ACLU of Pennsylvania

@aclupa.org

March on, together ✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏿 On Twitter, Threads, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube [at] aclupa

“When the government releases a person from custody, there is an implicit promise that their liberty will be honored as long as they follow what is asked of them. These rearrests disregard a decades-old policy and sow fear and chaos.”

A lawsuit challenges arrests of immigrants who come to Philly’s ICE office for routine appointments

The lawsuit says a policy change by ICE in Philadelphia was unlawful, and turned arrests of immigrants during routine check-ins from an "unheard of" occurrence to a routine practice.

inquirer.com

(1/2) We want DHS to know that we will keep pushing for full transparency and accountability. We stood up for our client when their personal information was subpoenaed.

(1/3) Every Pennsylvania voter has the right to be notified if their mail-in ballot is rejected for a mistake, because there are opportunities to ensure their vote still counts.

This infographic details methods PA county election boards use to notify voters of mail-in ballot packet mistakes: automatic return, automatic cancellation/reissue, email/phone/mail notification, lists published or sent to parties, and system coding.

Here’s what you need to know: (1/3) If you make a mistake on your mail-in ballot packet, you can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day. All counties now have to let you know if there’s a problem.

Informational graphic titled 'How to Track Your Mail Ballot And Make Sure Your Vote Counts', detailing steps for tracking a mail-in ballot, what to do if there's an issue, your right to receive notice, and what to do if something is wrong.

(1/2): We protected two of our clients from unlawful subpoenas for their personal information. But we believe DHS has been routinely issuing these subpoenas to suppress the First Amendment rights of people criticizing ICE’s cruel practices online.

(1/5): This week, the PA Senate plans to pass a Trans Ban bill - SB 1293. The bill would ban transgender girls and women from school sports and change how public schools and colleges assign teams.

A light purple graphic with pictures of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg in the middle and a close-up of a basketball court net on the bottom in a purple tint. The text on the graphic says, "This cruel state bill will harm young trans Pennsylvanians. Take action to stop Senate Bill 1293!"A light purple graphic with text that describes the changes to Pennsylvania law that Senate Bill 1293 proposes: "1. Ban transgender girls and women from participating on athletic teams or in sports designated for “females, women or girls.” 2. Mandate that all athletic teams and sports sponsored by PA public schools and public higher education institutions be explicitly designated as male, female, or coed, with "sex" defined by anatomy and genetics at birth. 3. Protect schools from complaints, investigations, or any other legal actions that challenge the ban or sex designations of sports teams."A light purple graphic that says, "Please call today and ask your senator to vote no on Senate Bill 1293!"

Equity in education is under attack. But we’re not stopping our fight to make sure all students are treated fairly and their right to an education is protected. Don’t miss this chance—join our discussion about how schools and colleges in Pennsylvania can keep advancing equitable education.

A light and dark yellow flyer graphic with a picture of a person with a beanie hat, hoodie, and glasses sitting at a desk with a laptop. There is a large backpack in the back. The flyer describes a webinar that is hosted by the aclu of Pennsylvania Black Donor Network Initiative that focuses on defending education equity and our work defending diversity, equity, and inclusion attacks affecting Pennsylvania students. The webinar is April 21, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Featured speakers include Harold Jordan, Senior Education Equity Coordinator and Dr. Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

📅 Monday, April 13, 10am - 5pm 📍 City Hall, room 400 Philly demands a city free from Trump’s cruel deportation agenda. No more fear. No more violence. No more terror.

A flyer graphic that features people in coats on the bottom with signs that say, "ice out of Philly" and text that says, "Philly says ice out! City Council Hearing and first vote. Monday, April 13, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Hall, Room 400. Lunch provided".A flyer graphic that features people in coats on the bottom with signs that say in Spanish, "ice out of Philly" and text that says, "Philly says ice out! City Council Hearing and first vote. Monday, April 13, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Hall, Room 400. Lunch provided".

📅 Saturday, April 11, 1pm 📍 LOVE PARK Without our immigrant community, Philly wouldn’t be Philly special. As the city of brotherly, sisterly, and sibling love, we know our neighbors are family, and we stand with them.

POSITIVE NEWS: Our client, Dylan Contreras Lopez, is home after being released from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. Dylan’s detention created a profound sense of loss and worry, sending waves of anxiety through his community and his loved ones who awaited his return.

When ICE agents tear apart our communities, we take to the streets. When the Trump administration tries to silence dissent, we get even louder. 📢💥 🗓️ Saturday, March 28

Black background with bold yellow text reading, “This country belongs to the people” Center image shows a crowd holding signs, including one that reads “Immigrants are welcome here.” Lower text reads, “Join us in the streets, Saturday, March 28” and “Find a protest near you,” with the ACLU logo at the bottom.

Jon took a stand against ICE's cruel deportation agenda by emailing a federal prosecutor. Soon after, he received a notification from Google that DHS had subpoenaed his data. Then a few weeks later, DHS agents appeared at his door.

Today, we raise our voices for the unsung heroes—the public defenders like Al Flora, who confront a system stacked against justice and fairness. The way PA funds our public defense system betrays our state and federal constitutions.

Text on a blue graphic that talks about today, March 18, being the anniversary of Gideon versus Wainwright, and how the case established the right to counsel for people who cannot afford an attorney.Text on a blue and orange graphic that talks about dedicating the day to unsung public defenders, like Al Flora, who worked hard to make the Gideon decision apply to Pennsylvanians.Three photos of Albert J. Flora, Junior, a man with short white hair and with a white collared shirt and striped tie.Text on a blue graphic that describes that public defense is a vital service for everyone to make sure that there is fairness in our criminal legal system. In the foreground on the bottom right, there is a photo of a sign that says, "Fund Pennsylvania Public Defenders. We can't afford to wait".

The main takeaway: DHS and law enforcement are increasing surveillance of online critics. Tech companies may notify you if your information is subpoenaed, but you are responsible for finding legal help and going to court.

PODCAST: ACLU-PA’s Steve Loney joins @levernews.com to unpack how DHS is pressuring tech companies to act against users who criticize the government. Tune in to learn what legal steps you can take if subpoenas appear in your inbox. www.levernews.com/he-sent-one-...

He Sent One Email. Then Federal Agents Came To His Door.

Trump’s Department of Homeland Security is weaponizing a little-known legal tool to crack down on free speech — and Big Tech is complying.

levernews.com

Chester County’s pollbook error during the last election left an estimated 75,000 voters off the rolls, resulting in an unusually high 12,000 provisional ballots cast. The county responded responsibly, and votes were counted.

Who knew fighting for civil liberties could be relaxing? Join Koru Movement Studio and New Hope Fire and Ice on Thursday, March 12 for an evening of movement, meditation, and good vibes!

A picture of a flyer on a green background with text that says, "Rise Together to Melt Ice and Support the aclu of pa. Thursday, March 12. 6 until 8 p.m. Koru Movement Studio and New Hope Fire and Ice. 415 West Bridge Street. New Hope, Pennsylvania. Event highlights: Light movement and meditation. Cold plunge and sauna. Question and Answer with the aclu of pa.  100 percent of proceeds support the aclu of pa. $75 per person. Reserve your spot at wearekoru.com and make your donation at aclupa.org. Your donation receipt is your ticket".

Our attorneys are in touch with the student demonstrators. We’re calling for a full and transparent investigation of this incident and for the police and Chief McElree to be held accountable for their actions if the evidence confirms the apparent excessive force, retaliation and false arrest.

A cover image with a blue collage picture of the Statue of Liberty that reads: ACLU of Pennsylvania Statement on Quakertown Student Arrests.
An image of the press release that can be found at https://www.aclupa.org/press-releases/aclu-of-pennsylvania-statement-on-quakerstown-student-arrests/

Every student should be able to learn free from discrimination. Under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, schools are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sex, meaning pronoun and name bans are a violation. To learn about your rights, download our interactive PDF.

A green graphic with text that says, "Myth: Teachers can create pronoun or name bans in their classrooms".

We are continuing to mobilize to make sure that the dignity of our Hispanic and Latine neighbors is never denied. Alex, one of our advocacy and policy strategists, wrote an article for Impacto to discuss our immigrants' rights work & what we are doing to flip the narrative about PA civil liberties.

A picture of Alex Domingos, in a yellow button down shirt and beard, with text that says, "At a time when immigrants' rights are under attack, when fear too often replaces fairness, silence isn't an option. Alex Domingos, Advocacy and Policy Strategist, aclu-pa".