National Security

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U.S. Supreme Court
Dec 2023
Outside Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters

National Security

FBI v. Fikre

Whether the government can overcome the voluntary cessation exception to mootness by removing an individual from the No Fly List when the government has not repudiated its decision to place him on the List and remains free to return him to the List for the same reasons and using the same procedures he alleges were unlawful.
Fbi V. Fikre. Explore Case.
Florida
Nov 2023
Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida v. Raymond Rodrigues

National Security

+2 Ƶ

Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida v. Raymond Rodrigues

The University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine filed a lawsuit on November 16, 2023, challenging the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida’s order to state universities to deactivate the student group. This order threatens the students’ constitutionally-protected right to free speech and association in violation of the First Amendment. The Ƶand its partners are seeking a preliminary injunction that would bar the Chancellor and the University of Florida from deactivating the UF SJP.
Students For Justice In Palestine At The University Of Florida V. Raymond Rodrigues. Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Apr 2022
FBI v. Fazaga Plaintiffs

National Security

+2 Ƶ

FBI v. Fazaga

In a case scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on November 8, 2021, three Muslim Americans are challenging the FBI’s secret spying on them and their communities based on their religion, in violation of the Constitution and federal law. In what will likely be a landmark case, the plaintiffs — Yassir Fazaga, Ali Uddin Malik, and Yasser Abdelrahim — insist that the FBI cannot escape accountability for violating their religious freedom by invoking “state secrets.” The plaintiffs are represented by the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law, the Ƶof Southern California, the Ƶ, the Council for American Islamic Relations, and the law firm of Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai.
Fbi V. Fazaga. Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 2021
Trump Declaring National Emergency

National Security

Immigrants' Rights

Sierra Club v. Trump — Challenge to Trump’s National Emergency Declaration to Construct a Border Wall

In February 2019, the Ƶfiled a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s emergency powers declaration to secure funds to build a wall along the southern border. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition. The lawsuit argues that the president is usurping Congress’s appropriations power and threatening the clearly defined separation of powers inscribed in the Constitution. On January 20, 2021, President Biden halted further border wall construction. Litigation in this and subsequent related challenges has been paused or deadlines extended while the ACLU’s clients and the Biden administration determine next steps.
Sierra Club V. Trump — Challenge To Trump’s National Emergency Declaration To Construct A Border Wall. Explore Case.
Indiana
Oct 2016
Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. v. Mike Pence, et al

National Security

Immigrants' Rights

Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. v. Mike Pence, et al

The Ƶ and the Ƶof Indiana, on behalf of Exodus Refugee Immigration, filed suit against Governor Mike Pence and the secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to stop attempts to suspend resettlement of Syrian refugees, claiming the governor’s actions violate the United States Constitution and federal law.
Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc. V. Mike Pence, Et Al. Explore Case.

All Cases

155 National Security Cases

Homeland
Court Case
Feb 2026

National Security

Ƶv. Department of Homeland Security (CP3 FOIA)

In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security announced the establishment of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, also known as CP3, and a domestic terrorism branch within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. These initiatives are a product of DHS's new measures to address domestic violent extremism, and little is known about these programs and the effects they'll have on members of the public. DHS has a history of similar harmful programs, which have targeted communities of color, immigrants and Muslim communities. The public has a right to know about the impacts of CP3 and the I&A domestic terrorism branch on the civil rights, liberties and privacy of communities of color, immigrants and other marginalized communities. In 2022, the Ƶsubmitted a FOIA request to compel the government to release information about these initiatives. It is imperative that the public gain a greater understanding about the policies, practices, methods and goals of both CP3 and the I&A domestic terrorism branch. After DHS produced records, the Ƶdismissed the case in February 2026.
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Aclu V. Department Of Homeland Security (cp3 Foia). Explore Case.
Court Case
Feb 2026
Homeland

National Security

Ƶv. Department of Homeland Security (CP3 FOIA)

In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security announced the establishment of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, also known as CP3, and a domestic terrorism branch within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. These initiatives are a product of DHS's new measures to address domestic violent extremism, and little is known about these programs and the effects they'll have on members of the public. DHS has a history of similar harmful programs, which have targeted communities of color, immigrants and Muslim communities. The public has a right to know about the impacts of CP3 and the I&A domestic terrorism branch on the civil rights, liberties and privacy of communities of color, immigrants and other marginalized communities. In 2022, the Ƶsubmitted a FOIA request to compel the government to release information about these initiatives. It is imperative that the public gain a greater understanding about the policies, practices, methods and goals of both CP3 and the I&A domestic terrorism branch. After DHS produced records, the Ƶdismissed the case in February 2026.
Aclu V. Department Of Homeland Security (cp3 Foia). Explore Case.
Fishing boats in Las Cuevas, Trinidad. Picture credit: Steven M. Watt
Massachusetts
Jan 2026

National Security

Human Rights

Burnley v. U.S.: Demanding Accountability on Caribbean Boat Strikes

On October 14, 2025, the United States military carried out an illegal missile strike that killed Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian men who were traveling by boat from Venezuela to their homes in Las Cuevas, Trinidad and Tobago. The Ƶ, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Ƶ of Massachusetts, and Professor Jonathan Hafetz of Seton Hall Law School filed suit on behalf of Lenore Burnley, Mr. Joseph’s mother, and Sallycar Korasingh, Mr. Samaroo’s sister, seeking redress and accountability for these extrajudicial killings pursuant to the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute.
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Burnley V. U.s.: Demanding Accountability On Caribbean Boat Strikes. Explore Case.
Massachusetts
Jan 2026
Fishing boats in Las Cuevas, Trinidad. Picture credit: Steven M. Watt

National Security

Human Rights

Burnley v. U.S.: Demanding Accountability on Caribbean Boat Strikes

On October 14, 2025, the United States military carried out an illegal missile strike that killed Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian men who were traveling by boat from Venezuela to their homes in Las Cuevas, Trinidad and Tobago. The Ƶ, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Ƶ of Massachusetts, and Professor Jonathan Hafetz of Seton Hall Law School filed suit on behalf of Lenore Burnley, Mr. Joseph’s mother, and Sallycar Korasingh, Mr. Samaroo’s sister, seeking redress and accountability for these extrajudicial killings pursuant to the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute.
Burnley V. U.s.: Demanding Accountability On Caribbean Boat Strikes. Explore Case.
Aerial view of a line of houses on a suburban street
Florida
Dec 2025

National Security

Immigrants' Rights

Shen v. Simpson

In May 2023, a group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida filed a lawsuit challenging Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the legislation unfairly restricts many Chinese citizens — and many citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea — from purchasing homes and other real estate in Florida.
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Shen V. Simpson. Explore Case.
Florida
Dec 2025
Aerial view of a line of houses on a suburban street

National Security

Immigrants' Rights

Shen v. Simpson

In May 2023, a group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida filed a lawsuit challenging Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the legislation unfairly restricts many Chinese citizens — and many citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea — from purchasing homes and other real estate in Florida.
Shen V. Simpson. Explore Case.
Image showing the symbol of the International Criminal Court on a window at the Hague
Maine
Dec 2025

National Security

Free Speech

Smith v. Trump

On April 11, 2025, the Ƶand Ƶof Maine filed a lawsuit on behalf of two human rights advocates who, because of an executive order signed by President Trump, have been forced to stop humanitarian work with the International Criminal Court.
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Smith V. Trump. Explore Case.
Maine
Dec 2025
Image showing the symbol of the International Criminal Court on a window at the Hague

National Security

Free Speech

Smith v. Trump

On April 11, 2025, the Ƶand Ƶof Maine filed a lawsuit on behalf of two human rights advocates who, because of an executive order signed by President Trump, have been forced to stop humanitarian work with the International Criminal Court.
Smith V. Trump. Explore Case.
Trump v. Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
Nov 2025

National Security

Trump v. Illinois

The ACLU, the Ƶof Illinois and other free speech organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Supreme Court in Trump v. Illinois, the state’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s attempt to federalize National Guard troops and deploy them into Chicago and surrounding counties. The case is at the Supreme Court on the Trump administration’s emergency application seeking to stay or temporarily lift the lower courts’ orders blocking the deployment.
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Trump V. Illinois. Explore Case.
U.S. Supreme Court
Nov 2025
Trump v. Illinois

National Security

Trump v. Illinois

The ACLU, the Ƶof Illinois and other free speech organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Supreme Court in Trump v. Illinois, the state’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s attempt to federalize National Guard troops and deploy them into Chicago and surrounding counties. The case is at the Supreme Court on the Trump administration’s emergency application seeking to stay or temporarily lift the lower courts’ orders blocking the deployment.
Trump V. Illinois. Explore Case.
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