News and Commentary

As the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State, we at the ACLU of Texas believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Mar 27, 2019

The Department of Homeland Security's Attack on Asylum Seekers at the Border Continues

In a desperate attempt to escape immediate threats to their life, the Castro* family fled their home country of El Salvador, hoping to make it to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek refuge. What they found...

Mar 15, 2019

3 Ways Molly Ivins Keeps Raising Hell

Molly Ivins is an immortal figure. The political commentator, muckraking journalist, proud Texan, and longtime supporter of the ACLU may have passed away more than 12 years ago, but her legacy lives on...

Mar 13, 2019

Why Incarceration Hurts Texas Families the Most

I had my first child in the custody of a county jail. I was arrested for possession of a controlled substance just after learning I was pregnant. When my son was born, I was able to spend two days with my...

Lauren Johnson Smart Justice Primary Caretaker

Feb 28, 2019

What Abortion Access Through Action Looks like

The Reproductive Freedom in Action Conference — RFIA for short — began like any other great idea: a group of people had a collective concern around an issue they cared about and were ready for change. ...

Feb 22, 2019

Trump's "National Emergency" Will Destroy Texas Communities and Resources

“I didn’t need to do this, but I’d rather do it much faster.”

Those were the ...

By David Donatti

“I didn’t need to do this, but I’d rather do it much faster.”

Those were the ...

By David Donatti

Feb 18, 2019

What to Expect During the 2019 Texas Legislative Session

We are now more than one month into the 2019 Texas Legislative session; Committees have been assigned in both chambers, and legislators are starting to hear bills on a broad array of issues impacting...