The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), alongside partner organizations, has urged Congress to pass the Bivens Act and the Constitutional Accountability Act. This legislation seeks to enable individuals to pursue legal recourse against federal law enforcement for constitutional violations, thereby restoring accountability.
Civil rights organizations and legal advocates convened on Capitol Hill to advocate for enhanced legislative oversight of federal officers implicated in constitutional violations, urging Congress to adopt the Bivens Act and the Constitutional Accountability Act to reinstate the right of individuals to pursue legal action against federal officers for alleged constitutional infringements.
The Biden administration has rescinded its stricter “no-knock” entry procedures, expanding the circumstances under which federal law enforcement may conduct searches without warning, and has been met with criticism from some former prosecutors.
The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) has called for independent oversight of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents, arguing that federal agencies investigating their own actions undermines public trust and accountability.
Leaders of legacy civil rights organizations are urging U.S. senators to vote against funding ICE and DHS, citing a pattern of lawlessness, lack of accountability, and erosion of civil rights at the hands of federal law enforcement.
Mike Fox argues that the modern legal system has created a “legal black hole” around misconduct by federal agents, making it difficult for families to hold them accountable for excessive force.
The California Senate passed SB 747, the No Kings Act, which would allow people in California to sue federal law enforcement officers for violations of their constitutional rights.
ICE’s image of professionalism is being eroded by a series of public failures, including a viral video of an agent slipping on ice while chasing protesters and a fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, which has led to a contentious investigation between federal and state authorities.
ICE operations are facing increased scrutiny following the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, with data showing a sharp rise in immigration detention among people with no criminal record and allegations of the Trump administration misleading courts and the public about the nature and scope of federal immigration enforcement.
Suzanne Nossel’s book Dare to Speak argues that free speech should be defended for all, and that the erosion of support for it is weakening democratic norms and deepening mistrust, while also providing a framework for evaluating speech harms and advocating for counterspeech as a primary response to hate.
Prosecutors Alliance Action has filed an amicus brief in support of California’s No Secret Police Act, arguing that the federal challenge to the law should fail because it undermines public trust, weakens prosecutions and threatens public safety.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have launched a new online portal allowing members of the public to upload photos and videos of suspected unlawful activity by federal agents, in an effort to protect the rights and safety of Californians.
Physicians for Human Rights has filed an amicus brief in the L.A. Press Club v. Kristi Noem case, arguing that U.S. federal law enforcement repeatedly misused rubber bullets, pepper balls, tear gas canisters and flash-bang grenades against journalists, medics and peaceful demonstrators during protests in Los Angeles in the summer of 2025.
The ACLU has warned of constitutional risks as the Trump administration expands its deployment of federal law enforcement and out-of-state National Guard troops into Washington, D.C., citing potential violations of rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, due process, and safeguards against unlawful searches and seizures.
California State Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín have introduced Senate Bill 627, the No Secret Police Act, which would prohibit law enforcement from covering their faces during operations and require clear identification at all times to maintain trust and accountability.
Washington, DC – The pushback against Trump administration policies on federal law enforcement deployment and tactics continued…