Top news stories and must-read articles from the week.

Headlines

Students are historical force of change

In the movement to end segregation in the 1960s, students braved fire hoses and police dogs in Alabama. As students become activists in the wake of the high school shooting in Florida, we are again reminded in the power of student activists.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Undocumented Haitian man deported in Waterville

A 35 year-old Haitian man who came to U.S. when he was 11 years old was arrested in January and is now being deported. Lexius Saint Martin has established a family and life in Maine. The heartbreaking event reveals how Trump’s cruel immigration tactics affect Mainers.

TAKE ACTION

American held indefinitely under Trump administration

An unnamed American has been held indefinitely for months without being charged. The man was captured in Syria, admitting upon surrender that he was a member of the Islamic State. The U.S. has denied him his constitutional rights as an American, setting up an important legal battle.

South Carolinian legislators introduce ‘baggy pants ban’

A bipartisan group of South Carolinian legislators have introduced legislation to ban saggy pants across the state. This bill is unneccsary, discrimatory, and a way for South Carolina to continue its unfair debt policies.

Top news stories and must-read articles from the week.

Protections for Dreamers needed now

Congress has stumbled through immigration talks this week without any successful votes. Trump’s decision to end DACA has left thousands of undocumented Americans in a risky situation. It is time to pass the DREAM Act and protect these Americans.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

TAKE ACTION

Muslim Ban declared unconstitutional again

A Virginia federals appeals court became the second appeals court to rule that the Trump administration’s third Muslim ban is unconstitutional. The court held that Trump’s own words describing the ban show bias against Muslims. Hopefully this decision is an indication of how the Supreme Court will rule on the ban later in the year.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

House passes bill that weakens ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures access and public accommodations for people with disabilities. This week, over objections from many disability rights activists and groups, the House of Representatives voted to vastly weaken a portion of the ADA that keep businesses accessible to all. It is unclear if the Senate will also pass this legislation.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

TAKE ACTION

Fair representation missing in Idaho

Public defenders in Idaho are overwhelmed by the amount of cases they have assigned to them. The Associated Press has reported that Idaho public defenders only have a chance to spend about 4 hours on any given case. Even for the hardest working attorneys this is not enough time to spend on a case. The ACLU has launched a class action lawsuit to work to bring fair representation to Idaho.