January 30, 2017 - 12:00pm

Fred Korematsu would have turned 98 today. The victim of another wrongheaded and un-American executive order that betrayed our nation’s ideals, Korematsu was locked up in an internment camp in Topaz, Utah simply for being of Japanese descent.

If ever our nation required a sobering reminder of its shameful history with immigrants and immigration, it is now.

Over the past 48 hours, our legal team, along with dedicated volunteers from all across the state, has worked day and night to free those illegally detained by the President’s executive order. Thanks to their tireless efforts, we have prevailed, for now. But ours was only an early tactical victory in what will be a long, hard fight for our nation’s soul. There is still much to do.

We are both grateful for and humbled by the efforts of volunteers, volunteer attorneys, translators and protestors who gave up their weekends to join us in this fight, and without whom we would not have been able to secure the release of those illegally held in Texas’ airports. We couldn’t have accomplished what we have without you.

For those of you looking for ways you too might be able to fight back, you can do the following:

This administration’s brazen indifference to our rights, liberties, values and traditions poses a threat to all of us, everywhere. If we are to hold the line and protect the Republic, we need your help.

Terri Burke
Executive Director
ACLU of Texas

Stay informed