A road sign showing the Rio Arriba county line with Lybrook elementary just beyond it.

Locked Out: When School Boards Exclude Native Representation

At a small school district in northwestern New Mexico, many Navajo parents cannot run for local school board or vote in the school district’s elections where their children go to school. 

Latest Press Release


People Incarcerated in Doña Ana County Jail Sue Over Violent Paramilitary Tactics and Inhumane Treatment 

Six people who were held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC) filed a lawsuit today seeking to end the jail's practice of conducting violent, unwarranted paramilitary training operations on incarcerated people.
Body camera footage from March 8, 2025, when such training operations took place at DACDC. Various officers, masked and armed, are seen running into the quiet cells in the middle of the night.

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

A photo of Rita Padilla-Gutiérrez standing in front of her sign that reads: "Trump, racist, rapist, not my president"

More Than a Yard Sign: Fighting for Free Speech in Tomé, New Mexico

When Rita Padilla-Gutiérrez posted anti-Trump signs in her yard, Valencia County threatened her with criminal prosecution at the urging of a pro-Trump county commissioner.

By Rita-Padilla Gutiérrez

Dark blue collage image of GuJuan, featuring a recent photo of him along with a childhood picture in various color filters

Beyond the Concrete Box: Gujuan Fusilier’s Story

This blog is the third of a series based on interviews with three men currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico who are part of a class action lawsuit challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of New Mexico’s long-term solitary confinement unit.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Stylized image of plantiffs in front of a dark green background, a silhouette of a man sitting down on pavement looking distressed is centered in the photo stylized in green.

Beyond the Concrete Box: Human Stories from Solitary

This blog is the first of a series based on interviews with Mah-konce Hudson, GuJuan Fusilier, and O'Shay Toney, who are currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Restoring a Humane Approach to Asylum is a Moral Imperative

By welcoming families fleeing persecution while also investing in neighboring countries, we can strengthen our own economy while charting our common future together.

By Peter Simonson

Restoring a Humane Approach to Asylum is a Moral Imperative

Wrongly Accused

How sloppy police work put an innocent young woman behind bars.

By Katie Hoeppner

Gisell Estrada

Leading Justice Forward

Our most ambitious legislative session yet.

By Katie Hoeppner

Leading Justice Forward: Our most ambitious legislative session yet

Webinar: A Discussion on a More Humane Approach to the Border

On May 25, 2021 we hosted a special event featuring speakers from the ACLU and partner organizations to discuss how we can chart a more humane path forward on border policy.

Special Event: A discussion on a more humane approach to the border.

On The Anniversary of Guards Pepper-spraying Asylum Seekers Held At Torrance Facility For Protesting Lack of COVID-19 Precautions, We Seek Legal Justice

A year ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers held at the privately-run immigrant detention center in Estancia, New Mexico were brutally attacked with pepper spray by guards.

By Nadia Cabrera-Mazzeo

Screen shot of pepper-spraying incident at TCDF

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act could help stamp out sexual abuse in state prisons

For too long, qualified immunity has shielded bad actors from liability and prevented survivors of abuse from seeking justice. But we can change that.

By Lalita Moskowitz

For too long, qualified immunity has shielded bad actors from liability and prevented survivors of abuse from seeking justice. But we can change that.

We can’t afford not to pass the New Mexico Civil Rights Act

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act is so-named because it promises to do for the state of New Mexico exactly what the federal Civil Rights Act of 1871 did for our nation. It provides a legal mechanism for people to go to court and demand redress for violations of their rights under the Bill of Rights.

By Peter Simonson

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New Mexico can no longer shirk responsibility to end for-profit detention

Allowing private corporations to profit off of bondage and suffering in our state has perpetuated a humanitarian crisis and cost taxpayers millions in lawsuits resulting from the rampant neglect and abuse in these facilities. It is both a moral and material failure for our state.

By Nia Rucker

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Lies Have Serious Consequences

Spreading lies to stoke fear and outrage for political gain has dangerous consequences. The storming of the U.S. Capitol by armed insurrectionists egged on by former President Donald Trump’s relentless and false claims of a stolen election has demonstrated that in no uncertain terms.

By Ellie Rushforth

Lies have serious consequences