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Firewall for Freedom: Protecting Rhode Island

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Last updated on December 17, 2025

The work to protect our rights and liberties is a marathon, not a sprint.

The ACLU’s tireless work challenging unconstitutional orders and actions over the past 11 months is a crucial part of our collective, ongoing work to protect our democracy.

Here in Rhode Island, we’ve achieved multiple victories and continue to be a part of multiple cases to protect immigrants’ rights and free speech from actions of the Presidential administration. Read more about what we’ve been doing in the sections below.

Turn your uncertainty, fear, or anger into action — scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about how you can get involved!

The National ACLU and state affiliates across the country continue to work to build firewalls for freedom: barriers to ensure our state and local officials do not assist anti-democratic forces in attacking our civil liberties and civil rights, and preventative measures to safeguard our rights.

Here in Rhode Island, where the political landscape affords us some opportunities, we’re taking advantage of our strengths to moderate threats to our rights at the executive, legislative, and local levels.

Here were a few priorities for us in the Legislative Session, which ended on June 21, and a few things you don’t have to worry about — yet — at the state level.

"Addressing Threats" are a selection of priority bills and actions we're taking to address threats to our rights.

"Existing protections" are some of our existing strengths for the years ahead in Rhode Island.

Immigrants' Rights

What we're doing to protect the rights and liberties of immigrants living in Rhode Island.

We will continue to help protect our immigrant neighbors across Rhode Island, as the presidential administration continues to threaten the rights and liberties of immigrants.

It’s Imperative to Know Your Rights

Everyone in the United States has constitutional rights — regardless of your immigration status. Learning your rights, what you can do when you witness immigration actions, what types of warrants police and ICE agents need to legally enter your home or your workplace, and practicing what you can say if you encounter immigration officers are more important than ever.

If you witness ICE or other immigration officials in Rhode Island, call the deportation defense line, and save the number in your phone to be able to quickly access it: 401-675-1414. The defense line is run by the Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR), a local organization.

RESPONSE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS

  • Testimony Submitted to Providence City Council We submitted testimony in support of, and helped draft, amendments to the Providence Community-Police Relations Act, which passed in November. Among other things, the ordinance now better defines what “assisting operations” means in regards to restricting police collaboration with immigration enforcement agencies; bans ICE access to “technology, data, and/or footage” from Providence’s Real Time Crime Center without a court order; and ensures people have meaningful recourse when their rights are violated.
    Read the testimony here.
  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Venezuelan National We filed an emergency lawsuit with the National ACLU to prevent the removal of a Venezuelan national from the country under President Trump’s recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act (AEA), a 1798 law designed for use during wartime. U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose issued an order barring the government from moving the petitioner outside Rhode Island without at least 72-hours’ notice to the court and the ACLU’s attorneys. The latest update to the case: After further immigration proceedings, the petitioner was granted asylum and released from prison. G.M.G. v. Trump, et al.
  • Lawsuit Challenging Rhode Island Students’ Terminated Immigration Status Four ACLU affiliates and law firm Shaheen & Gordon filed a federal class action lawsuit seeking to represent over 100 students in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico who had their F-1 student immigration status unlawfully and abruptly terminated with no specified reason as to why. Shortly after the suit was filed, the students’ status was reinstated. Pasula v. Department of Homeland Security
  • Letter to Rhode Island Colleges and Universities We shared a detailed letter from the National ACLU that outlines higher education institutions’ responsibilities and rights when dealing with ICE investigations and enforcement actions. The letter also outlines a legal framework for responding to administrative subpoenas from ICE. In consultation with legal counsel, universities generally maintain the right to not respond to administrative subpoenas unless and until ICE obtains an enforcement order from a judge. Universities also have the right to publicize the subpoenas or alert students if their information has been targeted by an ICE subpoena.
    Read the full letter to colleges and universities here
  • Letter to the Chief Justice of the R.I. Supreme Court Working with the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island, we sent a letter asking the Chief Justice to take steps to keep ICE agents out of state courtrooms in light of their presence’s chilling effect on the willingness of immigrants — including victims of and witnesses to crime — to make use of the court system.
  • Letter to RI Municipalities In response to the various Orders signed by Trump that expand and expedite federal immigration agencies' work to deport immigrants, we sent a letter to all city and town councils, mayors, and police chiefs urging them to adopt measures that protect their communities from federal immigration tactics. The letter points out that public safety suffers when residents — both immigrants and U.S. citizens with immigrant friends and family — are fearful of going to police to report crimes or act as witnesses. Additionally, municipalities can face legal liability for working with immigration when not backed by judicial authority or mandated by federal law. Central Falls, Providence, and South Kingstown have already adopted some relevant measures, when we urged similar action in 2017.
    Read the full letter to municipalities here

As actions are taken by the federal government, the National ACLU and ACLU Affiliates will continue to take legal action against unconstitutional conduct and unlawful Executive Orders.

EXISTING PROTECTIONS

  • A new law prohibits landlords from asking about a tenant or prospective tenant's immigration or citizenship status!
  • A new law prohibits healthcare personnel from asking the legal immigration status of any patient!
  • A 2022 law called Driver’s Licenses for All makes it possible for undocumented individuals to obtain a driver’s license and drive legally.
  • Rhode Island allows undocumented immigrant students who have lived in Rhode Island the right to qualify for in-state tuition at state schools. The state’s Rite Track program also ensures that all lower-income children, regardless of immigration status, qualify for health insurance.
  • As a result of ACLU litigation, limits have been imposed on the ability of immigration officials to order state and municipal officials to turn individuals over to them without a warrant.

Be informed: Learn about what to do if you’re stopped by police, immigration, or the FBI and learn more generally about immigrants’ rights here!

LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THREATS
We strongly supported legislation to protect immigrants’ rights in the 2025 Legislative Session. Click the bill number to be taken to a page with more information and to read our written testimony.

  • DIED – 364 Day Misdemeanor Bill (H 5502, S 63) This bill would refine the definitions of felony and misdemeanor to protect immigrants — including lawful permanent residents — from deportation for minor offenses. This bill has passed the Senate, but died in the House.
  • PASSED – Prohibiting Landlords From Asking About Immigration Status (H 5674, S 274) This bill would bar landlords from asking about a tenant or prospective tenant's immigration or citizenship status.
  • PASSED – Prohibiting Healthcare Personnel from Asking Immigration Status (H 6244, S 487) This bill would prohibit healthcare personnel from asking the legal immigration status of any patient.
  • DIED – Preventing Civil Arrests in Court (H 6121, S 291) This bill would generally bar the civil arrest of individuals while they are in a courthouse to attend a court proceeding.
  • DIED – Wyatt Facility Contracts (H 5724, S 295) This bill would prohibit the state or any municipality from entering into contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house and detain individuals for civil immigration violations.

We’re not alone in this fight: We’re a part of the Immigrant Coalition RI, an association of more than 30 organizations committed to ensuring fair and equal treatment of our immigrant neighbors.

Firewall for Freedom: Immigrants' Rights

First Amendment — Free Speech

Read about some of the threats to our First Amendment rights, and what we're doing to protect this constitutional right.

Free speech and expression are critical rights, especially in a time when we expect to be calling out injustices in the years ahead. While Rhode Islanders already have some protections from retaliatory government practices, the current presidential administration is aggressively trying to censor perspectives and opinions that they do not agree with. We want to ensure our state has as many defenses as possible in place to protect our First Amendment rights — to free speech and expression, of the press, to assembly, to choose whether and how you practice religion, and to petition the government.

RESPONSE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS

  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Housing Organizations We filed a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of local governments and organizations, including Rhode Island-based nonprofits Crossroads Rhode Island and Youth Pride, Inc., to prevent thousands of people from being pushed into homelessness across the country. The lawsuit follows sudden changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding, which for years has helped provide the necessary resources for local governments and organizations to fund permanent housing projects for veterans, the elderly, people with disabilities, and individuals and families experiencing homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Domestic Violence Coalitions A group of 17 domestic and sexual violence coalitions, with Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence as the lead plaintiff, filed a lawsuit challenging restrictions on grants issued by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The restrictions include a prohibition on promoting “gender ideology,” any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and “activities that frame domestic violence or sexual assault as systemic social justice issues rather than criminal offenses” — even though VAWA’s “foundational recognition” is “that domestic violence is a systemic issue.” These restrictions require the domestic violence coalitions to either violate their own missions and federal law as dictated by VAWA, not receive funding and leave those needing their services without support, or potentially face penalties under the False Claims Act. The latest update to the case: A judge granted a preliminary stay to allow all domestic violence coalitions to apply for and accept funding without agreeing to the new restrictions. Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi.
    Read the latest case update
  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Housing and Health Services Organizations After the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) added discriminatory and restrictive conditions on federal grant funding, we joined a nationwide coalition of 22 organizations — including six in Rhode Island — to challenge the grant requirements. The organizations provide support to those needing housing, domestic violence victims, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable communities. The latest update to the case: A judge granted a temporary restraining order, allowing the named organizations facing imminent grant deadlines to apply for funding without having to agree to the certification, and a preliminary injunction decision is pending. Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Arts Organizations We filed a lawsuit with the National ACLU on behalf of four arts organizations, including Rhode Island Latino Arts, challenging the National Endowment for the Arts’ implementation of an executive order that directs federal agencies to cease spending federal funds on what the government calls “gender ideology.” The lawsuit argues the NEA is violating the First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, and Administrative Procedure Act. The latest update to the case: In a victory, the U.S. District Court of RI ruled that the NEA’s policy violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and enjoined and set aside its implementation of an executive order that prohibits federal funding for grants that express ideas disfavored by the government. The State has appealed the decision. Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts
  • Read the latest case update

EXISTING PROTECTIONS

  • A new law passed that will explicitly make it Rhode Island state policy to support and protect the freedom of libraries and librarians from censorship attempts. The “Freedom to Read Act” is a critical protection in a time when ideas, books, art, media, and reporting are facing high levels of censorship.
  • Rhode Island already has strong protections against SLAPP suits (“Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation”) which are used to chill freedom of speech. The Rhode Island law gives “conditional immunity” to the exercise of the right of petition or free speech so, for example, efforts to sue you for defamation for comments you make against government officials or in public forums can be quickly dismissed.
  • Know Your Rights You have First Amendment rights to express yourself, to petition the government, and to the right to assembly. If you go to a protest, learn about your rights before you go and share with others!

Know your protest rights

LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THREATS
Click the bill number to be taken to a page with more information and to read our written testimony.

  • PASSED – Freedom to Read Bill (H 5726, S 238A) This legislation will explicitly make it state policy to support and protect the freedom of libraries and librarians from censorship attempts.
  • DIED – Updates to Access to Public Records Laws (H 5457, S 909) While not directly related to free speech, this bill would have updated and strengthened the state's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), increasing government transparency — including for police incident reports — and reducing costs for requesting records, making it easier for journalists, among others, to keep our government institutions transparent and accountable.

We're not alone in this fight: We’ve collaborated with the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) and Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans, who are working to protect librarians and the freedom to read. Additionally, we’re a part of ACCESS/RI, a freedom of information coalition dedicated to improving citizen access to the records and processes of government in Rhode Island.

Firewall for Freedom: First Amendment + Free Speech Rights

Reproductive Freedom and LGBTQ+ Rights

We have many existing protections for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, but there's still work to be done.

As seen by the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the continuous attacks against transgender peoples’ rights across the country, the freedom to be ourselves and make our own heath care decisions is at risk. Here in Rhode Island, we already have a set of state laws protecting fundamental LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive healthcare, and gender affirming healthcare. We are looking to shore up privacy laws to protect from disclosure reproductive health data that could be at risk.

RESPONSE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS

  • “Friend of the Court” Brief Filed to Support Lawsuit Challenging the Dismantling of the Division of Reproductive Health Alongside The Lawyering Project, a national organization that works to improve access to reproductive health care, we filed a brief to support a federal lawsuit filed by 19 states, including Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia. The lawsuit is trying to stop the elimination of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ division that “provides essential funding and technical support to help states combat maternal mortality, improve the quality of healthcare for infants and mothers, and systematize the collection and analysis of data on maternal and infant health.” The brief tells the story of three people who died from avoidable pregnancy complications that the Division is working to prevent. Read the brief filed in State of New York, et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al.
  • Lawsuit on Behalf of Housing Organizations We filed this lawsuit alongside our coalition partners to challenge new funding restrictions on federal housing grants. Under the new funding application rules, service providers and communities are blocked from applying for federal housing funds for new permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness if they operate in jurisdictions with policies the Trump-Vance administration disfavors. This includes cities and states, like Rhode Island, that the Trump Administration deems to be “sanctuary protections” for immigrants; that provide services considered “harm reduction” services for drug users; and that have inclusive policies for transgender people. National Alliance to End Homelessness v. Scott Turner, et al.
  • Response to Brown University Agreement with Trump Administration We released a statement alongside GLAD Law and the RI Center for Justice, condemning Brown University’s recent decision to sign an agreement with the current administration that includes adopting discriminatory language from the Executive Order about gender. More recently: The Trump administration offered a “compact” to Brown (and eight other universities) in October that would have undermined academic freedom and the autonomy of higher education institutions, in return for various forms of federal funding. We sent a letter urging the University President Christine Paxson to reject the compact, which she did.We encourage any members of the Brown community directly affected by new policies related to the university’s adoption of the definition of sex in the Trump administration’s anti-transgender executive order to contact one of our organizations:

The President’s Executive Order about gender does not, as far as we know, currently affect Rhode Island’s Medicaid rules that cover gender affirming care. Additionally, our state laws still protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.

  • Please read the information from our national office regarding passports and gender markers. This information is being updated on their website as things change. FAQs about passport gender markers and what we knowRhode Island still allows you to get an “X” gender marker on your personal identifying documents. Update in Orr v. Trump (AKA the “passport case”): On November 6, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the government's request for a stay of the district court’s June 17 order that had allowed plaintiffs and class members to obtain accurate passports using an attestation form prepared by the government. The June 17 order is no longer in effect, and the November 6 order automatically reinstates the State Department’s Passport Policy adopted in January requiring that passports only be issued bearing an individual’s sex designated at birth.

EXISTING PROTECTIONS

  • Last year, Rhode Island legislators passed the Healthcare Provider Shield Act, which lowers the risk that Rhode Island medical providers will be penalized if they treat a patient coming from a state that has banned access to established, standard-of-care reproductive and transgender health care.
  • The right to abortion has been codified in Rhode Island law since 2019, when the Reproductive Privacy Act was passed. Medicaid funding for the procedure was enshrined in state law in 2023.
  • Protections for LGBTQ+ folks have been a part of Rhode Island law since 1995, when a law was passed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. That law was strengthened to include protections for gender identity and expression in 2001.
  • Marriage equality has been codified in Rhode Island law since 2013.
  • Rhode Island Medicaid rules protect and cover trans and non-binary individuals for the majority of the care they need.
  • Gender affirming care for minors is protected in Rhode Island. Many people have reached out to us about the 6-3 decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, where the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender affirming care for transgender people under the age of 18. While a devastating loss for those in Tennessee, we have our own protections and therefore this decision will not affect the ability for individuals seeking care in Rhode Island from receiving it.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, take a few minutes to read our Know Your Rights materials about LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace, trans rights, and LGBTQ+ students' rights so you can be prepared to identify injustices.

LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THREATS

  • DIED – Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Data Privacy Act (H 5857, S 824) We supported a bill that would provide privacy protections for electronically-generated reproductive and gender-affirming health data, including requiring explicit consent by users if third parties want to collect, use, and share your data.

We're not alone in this fight: We’re a part of the Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (RICRF), an association of more than 25 organizations working together to share resources, build strategies and coordinate efforts to connect reproductive freedom with social and economic justice.

Firewall for Freedom: Reproductive Freedom and LGBTQ+ Rights

Privacy & Technology

Privacy is critical in our technological age, when surveillance tools are exponentially being installed in our communities and the data collected could be used to undermine our fundamental rights.

RESPONSE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS

  • Intervening in Lawsuit to Protect Rhode Island Voters’ Data After the Rhode Island Secretary of State refused to hand over Rhode Island voters’ sensitive, non-public data to the Department of Justice — which is reportedly assembling a national voter database — the federal government sued RI. The ACLU of RI and the National ACLU, representing Common Cause and a few individual voters, entered the lawsuit to ensure voters’ privacy rights are protected. United States of America v. Gregg M. Amore
  • Letters to Multiple Municipalities Regarding ALPR Cameras More cities and towns across Rhode Island are considering installing automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, specifically Flock Safety brand cameras. These cameras are capable of capturing much more information than regular license plate readers, and most RI police departments can share the data they collect from these cameras with other states and federal agencies, including ICE. We have sent multiple letters and submitted testimony to various city and town councils urging them to reject these surveillance devices, and to instead create strong ordinances that include reasonable limits on how long data can be kept, how the data can be shared, and when police can put in requests to access the data. Read a letter we sent to the Warren Town Council.

Read more about ALPR cameras here.

  • Letter to Providence City Council After learning about Providence’s new Real Time Crime Center, which integrates a wide variety of surveillance devices across the city for police use, we sent the Providence Mayor and City Council a letter explaining our numerous concerns about the lack of privacy protections in place. The letter calls for the Providence leaders to pass a robust municipal ordinance to protect resident and visitors’ privacy rights. While there are only protections in place to prevent this data from being shared with ICE for immigration purposes, data can still be shared with other agencies for other reasons.

Read the letter here.

EXISTING PROTECTIONS
Aside from the example below in Providence, no municipalities have passed ordinances that protect our data.

  • Providence recently amended the city’s Community-Police Relationship Act (CPRA) prohibits data collected by the Real Time Crime Center or ALPRs from being shared with ICE for immigration purposes. Additionally, if Providence is going to share that data with any external agency, that agency has to sign an agreement that they will also abide by the CPRA provisions.

LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THREATS

  • DIED – Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Data Privacy Act (H 5857, S 824)
    We supported a bill that would provide privacy protections for electronically-generated reproductive and gender-affirming health data, including requiring explicit consent by users if third parties want to collect, use, and share your data.
  • DIED – Restrictions on Police Surveillance Cameras (H 5659)
    Following the widespread and surreptitious installation across the state of deceptively named "automated license plate reader" (ALPR) cameras that actually have incredibly invasive technological capabilities, we strongly supported legislation which would have limited the use of these cameras. This bill would further require a public process for the implementation of any type of similar surveillance technology, which is particularly important because the installation of these systems in municipalities across the state initially occurred out of the view of the public. Ultimately, this legislation would ensure that the unfettered and unregulated installation of these cameras cannot continue to occur.

Read our 2025 testimony here.

Purple graphic that says Privacy & Technology in bright yellow letters. A orange graphic of the USA, a building, and a sign that says "Demand justice fight hate" are on the right side.

Join Us in this Work

We couldn’t do this without your support and community.

Help fund our work to protect civil liberties:

  • Donate
    to the ACLU Foundation of RI to support our work in the courts and the community. A donation to the ACLU Foundation IS tax-deductible.
  • Become an ACLU of RI member
    to support our lobbying work. A membership to the ACLU is NOT tax-deductible.

Learn more about the difference between the ACLU Foundation and the Union here.

Volunteer your time:

  • Fill out a form and send it to us to sign up to be a volunteer to help us with community outreach and other work or to share a particular expertise you have.
  • Monitor what’s happening in your community and take action:
    • Tune into your city or town council meetings, school council meetings, library board meetings — any governing body that deals with issues that matter to you
    • Call or write to your legislators about issues that matter to you, even when the legislature isn’t in session

      Sign up for our email list at the link below to learn more about what's happening for civil liberties in our state!

Check out our RI Legislative dashboard

Stay informed about what’s happening in our state:

Find time to rest, and sustainably resist:
Protecting civil liberties has always been a marathon, not a sprint.

In the face of a presidential administration that is intentionally trying to overwhelm advocates in these early days of the administration, we encourage you to find what level of engagement is sustainable for you. Maybe that’s attending your local city/town council meetings, tracking one or two bills through the legislative session and submitting testimony, or regularly donating money to help us shoulder the work.

As these various fights for our rights continue, take time to care for your mental, physical, emotional wellbeing, in whatever ways that work for you. Find time to check in and gather with your community. Take a break from the grueling news cycle or be intentional about what sources you tune into and how frequently you’re receiving updates. Resting when you need to ensures you can step back up to help us again, instead of getting burnt out and giving up. We need all hands on deck for the years ahead — not just the first few months.

Firewall for Freedom: Join Us

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Immigrants’ Rights First Amendment LGBTQ+ Rights View All Issues