Immigrants' Rights
The ACLU has been one of the nation's leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees and non-citizens, challenging unconstitutional laws and practices, countering the myths upon which many of these laws are based.
Click here to learn more about our national Immigrants' Rights Project >>
ACLU of Utah’s
Immigrants’ Rights Project
The ACLU of Utah is providing outreach and public education services to immigrant communities throughout the State of Utah, as well as to the general public about issues affecting the immigrant population. Through “Know Your Rights” presentations, we inform immigrant groups about their civil and constitutional rights. We also provide education and information to the general public to dispel myths about immigration and to promote understanding of those constitutional rights which extend to all who reside within the United States. We also will protect those rights by investigating reports of abuse and responding to them with redress or resolution.
Press Releases -
Litigation -
Legal Advocacy and Policy Work
Legislative Reports - Resources - Events
Americans Overwhelmingly Support a Fair Immigration System
Posted 4/18/13 - (From the national ACLU's Blog of Rights) For over 90 years the ACLU has defended the rights of everyone in the United States, whether born in this country or abroad, because the Constitution protects the civil liberties and civil rights of all of them. The data from a new poll released yesterday that was commissioned by CAMBIO, a new coalition for immigration reform, confirms what we have long known – that the American people agree wholeheartedly that all people in the United States, including immigrants, have fundamental rights under our Constitution.
Read more >>
Mandatory E-Verify: A Giant Plunge Into a National ID System
Posted 4/18/13 - (From the national ACLU's Blog of Rights) Yesterday's release of a national immigration reform proposal from the Gang of Eight raises a host of civil liberties issues, many of which the ACLU will undoubtedly be commenting on in the coming days and weeks. We would like to focus on concerns with one particular program, E-Verify. Currently, E-Verify is a largely voluntary system where employers can check with the Department of Homeland Security to see if someone is allowed to work. Basically it's a giant list of everyone – immigrants and citizens – legally in the United States.
Read more >>
MiACLU Estamos Unidos TOUR 
Posted 3/7/13 - This 6:33 minute video highlights "Estamos Unidos," a nationwide wide tour to kick-off MiACLU, a new ACLU outreach program to promote Immigrants' Rights.
Civil Rights Coalition in Court Friday to Challenge Utah’s Anti-Immigrant Law
Posted 2/14/13 - Attorneys from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Utah will ask a federal judge on Friday to continue to block the state’s anti-immigrant law. The hearing will be held regarding a motion for preliminary injunction that charges that the “show me your papers” law, HB 497, is unconstitutional.
Read more >>
Deferred Action Workshops For Childhood Arrivals
Posted 8/22/12 - The Deferred Action Workshop series is a project under Utah's chapter of AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) supported by the ACLU of Utah, the Consulate of Mexico, Catholic Community Services and the SLC Dream Team. These workshops were created to help those who clearly qualify and are interested in applying for deferred action.
More information including schedule, locations, and registration >>
SL Tribune: Immigrants seek to qualify for work permit, deportation reprieve (8/24/12) >>
ACLU of Utah Helps Launch Free Deferred Action Workshops for Childhood Arrivals
Posted 8/6/12 - The Utah Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), in collaboration with other public interest groups, is sponsoring a series of free workshops throughout Utah to help those eligible for relief from deportation under the recently announced deferred action program. Supporting partners include the ACLU of Utah, Catholic Community Services, Holy Cross Ministries, the Mexican Consulate, SLC Dream Team and Mestizo Arts and Activism.
Read more >> English / Spanish
Deseret News: The next step: Children brought to U.S. by undocumented immigrant parents can apply for 'deferred action' starting Aug. 15 (08/06/12) >>
OK Español Utah: Recomiendan cautela antes de aplicar por “Acción Diferida” (08/7/12) >>
Salt Lake Tribune: Thousands in Utah could be eligible for deportation deferment (8/14/12) >
U. S. Supreme Court Rules in Arizona Immigration Case; ACLU of Utah and its allies continue fight against HB 497
Posted 6/25/12 - Today’s decision in Arizona v. United States sends a strong message from the United States Supreme Court that immigration regulation is the exclusive province of the federal government. The Court struck down three out of the four provisions brought before it on grounds that they are preempted by federal law. With the fourth provision, Section 2(B), the “show me your papers” provision, the Court rejected a facial challenge but left the door open to a potential constitutional challenge on how the law is applied.
Read more >>
For more information on the Supreme Court decision visit http://www.aclu.org/whats-stake-sb-1070-supreme-court-0
For resources in Spanish visit http://miaclu.org/
Salt Lake Tribune: Supporters, critics debate impact of ruling on immigration law in Utah (6/25/12) >>
Deseret News: Utah immigration law still on hold despite U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Arizona case (6/25/12) >>
Ogden Standard Examiner: Activists on Supreme Court immigration ruling: No immediate effect on Utah laws (6/25/12) >>
Fox 13 News: Supreme Court sides with U.S. in Arizona immigration case - Local leaders react to ruling (6/26/12) >>
Reuters Factbox: U.S. state laws targeting illegal immigration (6/25/12) >>
KSL TV News: Supreme Court decision on AZ immigration law considered a 'win' for Utah (6/25/12) >>
Obama Administration Gives Lifeline to DREAMers - ACLU Welcomes Action and Calls on Congress to Pass the DREAM Act
Posted 6/15/12 - The Obama administration has announced that it will stop deporting and begin giving work permits to young adults who came to the U.S. as children (often referred to as "Dreamers"). For more than a decade, the Department of Homeland Security has deported DREAMers around the country and congressional Republicans have blocked the DREAM Act, despite calls by business executives, military commanders, college presidents, mayors and faith leaders to pass the measure as necessary to safeguard and build America's economic future.
Read more >>
La Administración Obama le da una Línea de Vida a los “DREAMers” >>
Press Releases
ACLU of Utah Helps Launch Free Deferred Action Workshops for Childhood Arrivals (8/6/12) English / Spanish
ACLU “Mobile Rights Team” cross-country tour stops at the Latino Mall in West Valley City (5/7/12)
ACLU Attorneys React to Argument at Supreme Court on Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law (4/25/12)
Federal Government Added To Suit Challenging S.L. County's Policy of Indefinite Detention (3/26/12)
National Immigration Law Center, ACLU and ACLU of Utah in Court Friday to Challenge Utah’s “Papers Please” Law (2/15/12)
El Centro Nacional de Leyes Migratorias, la ACLU, y la ACLU de Utah se presentan ante el tribunal el viernes para impugnar la ley “Muéstrame tus papeles” de Utah (2/15/12)
Utah’s “Show Me Your Papers” Law Hearing Postponed;
U.S. Department of Justice May Intervene (9/13/11)
ACLU OF Utah Sues Salt Lake County Over Unlawful Detention of College Student (8/5/11)
Court Blocks Implementation Of Utah “Show Me Your Papers” Law (5/10/11)
ACLU And NILC File Lawsuit Challenging Utah “Show Me Your Papers” Law (5/3/11)
La ACLU y la NILC entablan demanda impugnando la Ley “Muéstreme sus papeles” de Utah (5/3/11)
Governor Herbert Urged to Veto Immigration Bills
(3/09/11)
ACLU OF UTAH URGES GOVERNOR HERBERT TO VETO IMMIGRATION BILLS HB 497 AND HB 116 - GOVERNOR SHOULD REJECT SUPPORTERS’ FALSE CLAIM THAT THE BILLS PRESENT COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO IMMIGRATION REFORM (3/9/11)
Attorney General Shurtleff Urged to Reject Using Information from "the list" in Criminal Prosecutions (8/26/10)
ACLU Of Utah Joins Nationwide Letter To DHS Secretary Napolitano Criticizing DHS's Response To And Potential Use Of "The List" (7/29/10)
ACLU Of Utah Seeks Records About FBI Collection Of Racial And Ethnic Data (7/27/10)
No More Intimidation Tactics: A Wake-Up Call for Utah (7/19/10)
ACLU Of Utah Commends Swift Action To Address Stolen Information On List Of Names (7/16/10)
As Holiday Weekend Approaches, ACLU Affiliates Issue Alerts To Individuals Traveling To Arizona (6/30/10)
"The U.S. Immigration Policy Patchwork and Utah's Role in the National Immigration Conversation" (PDF) (10/8/09)
"Freedom to Dream: the Rights of Immigrants" Film and Discussion in Ogden (PDF) (8/5/09)
"Freedom to Dream: the Rights of Immigrants" Film and Discussion in Logan (PDF) (7/30/11)
TRAVEL ALERT FOR JULY 4 WEEKEND:
If You Are Headed to Arizona, You Had Better Know Your Rights! (6/30/10)
ACLU of Utah Blasts Recently Released Final Regulations for REAL ID Act (1/14/08)
Constitution’s
protection against unreasonable search and seizure applies to all immigrants:
ACLU files a brief urging Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse an
unprecedented lower court ruling on U.S. v. Esparza-Mendoza (1/6/04)
ACLU Withdraws Appeal of Official English Decision;
Cites Court’s Reading of the Statute as “Largely Symbolic” and Attorney
General’s Positive Step (9/4/01)
Utah
Judge Rules English-Only Statute Does Not Prohibit Government Employees
from Using Languages Other than English (3/6/01)
Litigation
Uroza v. Salt Lake County
(2011)
La Raza v. Herbert
(2011) U.S. v. Esparza-Mendoza (2004) Alvarez v. State of Utah (2001)
Mani Kang v. Utah State Department of Public Safety (2000)
Legal Advocacy and Policy Work
Court Decision in HB 497 “Show Me Your Papers Law” Postponed (2/23/12)
ACLU Attorneys React to Argument at Supreme Court on Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law (4/25/12)
Will Americans Tolerate Laws That Encourage Racial Profiling? (4/23/12)
Challenges to State Anti-Immigrant “Show Me Your Papers” Laws Continue in the 11th Circuit (3/1/12)
‘Papers-Please’ Law Would Harm All Utahns (2/16/12)
Anti-Immigrant Arizona Copycat Laws (2/15/12)
Federal Judge Merges HB 497 Lawsuits, Postpones Hearing (11/28/11)
HB116 does not fall within the principles of the Utah Compact (11/14/11)
Utah’s “Show Me Your Papers” Law Hearing Postponed; U.S. Department of Justice May Intervene (9/13/11)
ACLU OF Utah Sues Salt Lake County Over Unlawful Detention of College Student (8/5/11)
Court Blocks Implementation Of Utah “Show Me Your Papers” Law (5/10/11)
ACLU And NILC File Lawsuit Challenging Utah “Show Me Your Papers” Law (5/3/11)
Immigration Bills Before The Governor Would Violate Federal Law (3/10/11)
TAKE ACTION: Tell Utah Senators: hard-working students deserve college (03/09/11)
Senate Version of a Guest Worker Permit Would Violate Constitution (2/24/11)
Bill Threatens In-State Tuition for Some Utah Residents (2/22/11)
Arizona Copy Cat Bill Advances Out of Committee (2/16/11)
TAKE ACTION: Stop H.B. 70, "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act" (2/10/11)
The ACLU of Utah Legislative Activist Blog: Immigration Reform in Utah (1/25/11)
Court Blocks Arizona Law But Utah Barrels Ahead Nonetheless (Fall 2010)
Senate Fails To Pass DREAM Act (12/20/10)
ACLU of Utah Participates in SLC Anti-Discrimination Workshop for Employees (12/7/10)
Anti-Immigrant Law Is Unconstitutional, Federal Appeals Court Rules (8/9/10)
Court Blocks Implementation Of Key Sections Of Arizona's Racial Profiling Law ( 7/28/10)
ACLU of Utah Seeks Records About FBI Collection Of Racial And Ethnic Data (Fall 2010)
ACLU of Utah Takes Action In Response To Utah’s Immigration Blacklist (Fall 2010)
ACLU Participates in Salt Lake City Anti-discrimination Campaign (Fall 2010)
ACLU Responds to AZ Gov. Jan Brewer's Comments on U.N. Report (9/7/10)
Attorney General Shurtleff Urged to Reject Using Information from "the list" in Criminal Prosecutions (8/26/10)
ACLU of Utah Joins Nationwide Letter to DHS Secretary Criticizing Response to and Potential Use of the List (7/29/10)
Would You Ask This Man For His Papers? (7/22/10)
Swift Action to Address Stolen Information on List of Names Was Correct Response (7/16/10)
TRAVEL ALERT FOR JULY 4 WEEKEND:
If You Are Headed to Arizona, You Had Better Know Your Rights! (6/30/10)
ACTION ALERT: What Happens in Arizona Stops in Arizona! (5/3/10)
Action Alert: Help Fight Discriminatory Workers Compensation Proposal (8/15/10)
ACT NOW to stop unfair immigration legislation! (2/15/2008)
The ACLU of Utah distributed a letter to the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Standing Committee outlining problems with SB 81, "Illegal Immigration" and calling for support of SB 97, "Immigration Task Force." (2/8/2008)
The ACLU of Utah Urges Representatives to vote against HB 98 and HB 257
(2/7/2008)
ACLU of Utah opposes HB 237 "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act" (1/30/2008)
ACLU of Utah Opposes Ballot Initiative A "English as the Official Language of Utah" (2000)
ACLU Opposes Federal Pilot Project to Grant Immigration Authority to Salt Lake City Police (1998)
From Our Legislative Reports
2012 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2011 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2010 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2009 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2008 Legislative Report
2007 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2006 Legislative Report
2005 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2004 Legislative Report - Immigrants' Rights
2003 Legislative Report
2002 Legislative Report
2002 Legislative Report
2001 Legislative Report
2000 Legislative Report
2002 Legislative Report
1999 Legislative Report
1998 Legislative Report
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about Utah’s HB 497, “Show Me Your Papers” Law - Updated 10/11 >> (7/5/12)
Immigrants' Rights: A National ACLU Perspective (10/21/09)
Restore Fairness to the Immigration System (10/5/09)
ACLU Releases Report on Immigration Detention Centers (8/3/09)
Why Defend Immigrants (1/26/09)
The Impact of SB 81
"Illegal Immigration" (April 2009)
El Impacto De La Ley SB 81, "Inmigracion Ilegal" (May2009)
Senate Bill 81”Illegal Immigration” (1/26/09)
Conzca Sus Derechos Que Hacer Si Agentes de Migracion o de la Policia lo Detienen Mientras Camina y la Policía Local
Why Defend Immigrants (2009)
Know Your Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement - This booklet addresses what rights you have when you are stopped, questioned, arrested, or searched by law enforcement officers. This booklet is for citizens and non-citizens with extra information for non-citizens in a separate section. (2008)
English-Only Legislation (1997)
Events
ACLU “Mobile Rights Team” cross-country tour stops at the Latino Mall in West Valley City (5/12/12)
Are Utah Employers Responsible For Illegal Immigration? (12/06/11)
Immigrants' Rights Workshops in September (9/9/11)
Community Forum On New Immigration Laws (4/8/11)
Workshops Will Address Impact of Recent Immigration Legislation (3/31/11)
Community Panels Discuss Utah Immigration Issues (Fall 2010)
Panel Discussions Probe Utah Immigration Policy and Law (10/15/10)
English-Only Legislation (1997)
Panel Discussion on Immigration Policy: The Arizona Experience (2/11/11)
Immigration Advocacy Training (1/18/11)
El Pasado Presente Y Futuro Incierto de la Immigración en Estados Unidos (12/14/10)
Immigration & Civil Rights CLE (11/16/10)
From Arizona to Utah: State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law (10/14/10)
"The Past,
Present and
Uncertain
Future of
Immigration in
the United States" (9/17/10)
Ogden Church Hosts ACLU "Freedom to Dream: The Rights of Immigrants" (8/27/09)
Freedom to Dream: Rights of Immigrants (8/21/09)
Freedom to Dream: Rights of Immigrants (3/27/09)
Freedom to Dream: Rights of Immigrants
Film Night & Community Discussion (1/2/09)
Don't Miss the Last Film in the Civil Liberties Film Series (12/7/09)
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