Immigrants' Rights

Through litigation, legislation, public advocacy, and outreach, the ACLU of Massachusetts defends the constitutional rights of all people, regardless of where they came from.

Collage of a rally with two people hugging and a person holding a sign saying Immigrants are Welcome Here

All Massachusetts residents deserve to feel safe in their communities. We work directly with vulnerable communities and collaborate with trusted partners to make sure immigrants know their rights.

We also advocate on Beacon Hill to change discriminatory policies, and we file lawsuits to reunite families and free people from unlawful detentions. Finally, we collaborate with trusted community partners to increase immigrants’ civic engagement so that all voices are reflected in the democratic process.

Know Your Rights

The Latest

Press Release
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Rights of Detained Noncitizens to Bond Hearings

First Circuit is the seventh appellate court to reject Trump administration's novel application of immigration detention statutes
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Court Cases: Guerrero Orellana v. Moniz et al.
Press Release
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Legal Groups That Secured Supreme Court Birthright Victory Move to Protect Babies From Trump’s Latest Attacks on Citizenship

Plaintiffs ask federal court to make clear that the citizenship of babies covered by class-action lawsuit is protected despite new executive order
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Press Release
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Immigrant Rights’ Coalition Celebrates Enactment of PROTECT ACT

Law signed by Gov. Healey will curb reckless federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Resource
Haitian solidarity rally

Resources for TPS Holders

How to find an immigration lawyer, secure financial or food aid, get transportation help, and learn your rights.

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

Campaign
Aug 2026

PROTECT Act

The PROTECT Act is a crucial step to establish meaningful protections for Massachusetts residents against ICE abuses.
Court Case
Aug 14, 2026

ACLU of Massachusetts v. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department

We are seeking public records on the Plymouth County Sheriff Department's programs for providing medical care to civil immigration detainees. The request follows widespread reports of inadequate care provided to those held in ICE custody.
Court Case
Jan 27, 2026

Burnley v. U.S.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit to seek redress and accountability for extrajudicial killings pursuant to the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute.
Campaign
Jul 2026

Data Privacy Now!

Today, technology has far outpaced privacy law. Data brokers and Big Tech are free to do almost anything they want with our personal information, including selling our cellphone location data on the open market. These practices endanger all of us, but especially vulnerable communities like immigrants, protesters, and people seeking and providing reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. It's time for our privacy law to catch up to the digital age!