Immigration

Court Cases

Court cases to protect the rights of immigrants have become increasingly necessary in recent years.

Currently, the Affiliate is litigating on behalf of the family of Hiu Lui Ng, a Chinese detainee who died while in the custody of immigration officials.

Legislation

In 2010 the Affiliate is working with the Immigrants United coalition to to pass immigrant-friendly anti-discrimination bills dealing with everything from housing to workers’ rights to interpreter services.

During the 2009 session at the State House the Affiliate worked to pass bills to protect immigrants from discrimination, including by fighting the implementation of the "E-Verify" system, and by fighting racial profiling.

In 2008 the RI ACLU successfully fought E-Verify legislation, and tried to pass a bill against racial profiling, which often affects immigrants.

Executive Order

Governor Carcieri's Executive Order on immigration in 2008.
The RI ACLU's analysis.

Immigration in the News:

April 19, 2010 - ACLU Opposes Efforts to Block Public Release of Detention Facility Videotapes in the Jason Ng Case

March 3, 2010 - ACLU Objects to Request by ICE to Be Dropped from Lawsuit Over Death of Immigrant Detainee

July 23, 2009 - Groups Urge Federal Government to Reject State Police Request to Enforce Immigration Laws; Letter Cites Two Decades of Racial Profiling Statistics

February 26, 2009 -- Key Witness in Wyatt Case Will Not Be Deported Before Trial

February 9, 2009 -- RI ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Family of Wyatt Center Detainee Who Died in Custody

December 31, 2008 -- ACLU To Appeal Dismissal of "Racial Profiling" Lawsuit Against State Police

December 1, 2008 -- ACLU Charges Wyatt Detention Facility With Misleading Public on Death of Immigrant Detainee

November 3, 2008 -- ACLU Files Contempt Motion Against Governor Over Immigration Executive Order

September 29, 2008 -- ACLU Agrees to Represent Family of Chinese Detainee Who Died at Wyatt Detention Facility

September 3, 2008 -- ACLU Sues Governor Over Executive Order on Immigration

December 17, 2007 -- ACLU Files Civil Rights Complaint Against DHS For Lack of Adequate Interpreter Services, Violation of Consent Agreement

December 4, 2007 -- ACLU Releases Report Charging That Governor Carcieri is Promoting A "Politics of Division" On Civil Rights Issues

October 22, 2007 -- Community and Civil Rights Groups Condemn Governor's Comments on Immigrants

August 9, 2007 -- ACLU Seeks Review of Police Department Medical Policies in Light of Custodial Death of Brazilian National

January 8, 2007 -- ACLU Files "Racial Profiling" Lawsuit Against State Police for Illegal Detention of Guatemalans in I-95 Stop