Research & Publications

Immigrants have served in the U.S. military since our nation’s founding. Immigrants serve not only honorably but exceptionally: 20% of all Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are immigrants. Despite this exceptional service, the United States government has deported hundreds if not thousands of its own veterans over the past few decades alone and continues to do so to date. In response to the cruelty of this practice and building on extraordinary organizing by deported veterans themselves, advocates have long sought a mechanism for deported veterans to repatriate. This report chronicles the resounding success of these advocates’ tireless efforts to repatriate deported veterans — first piecemeal, and then via the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI) established during the Biden Administration. Launched July 2021, 138 deported veterans returned home to the United States under IMMVI. Each veteran was granted humanitarian parole, which allowed them to return temporarily (typically for one year) to the United States to reunite with their families, obtain V.A. healthcare, and work on restoring their immigration statuses. A small number of veterans also paroled in their spouses or children. Of these 138 veterans, roughly half restored their Lawful Permanent Resident status (“green cards”) or naturalized (became U.S. citizens), allowing them to remain in the United States permanently.

No one should expect to die while held in state custody. Yet, people are dying every year inside the Orange County Jails — many within days of being booked. Despite declining jail populations, in-custody deaths continue to rise, often dismissed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as the result of “life choices.” This report, based primarily on 119 in-custody death records obtained through public records requests and cross-referenced with district attorney investigations, shows otherwise.

Meaningful Tribal consultation is an opportunity to repair and build positive, trustworthy relationships between Tribal governments, Tribal organizations and families, and local educational agencies, grounded in the shared goal of supporting Native American students’ success.

From our ongoing lawsuit challenging ICE raids in our region, to our victory affirming the First Amendment rights of journalists and protestors, to our win against book banning in Huntington Beach, your support enables our defense of fundamental rights protected by our Constitution.

Angelenos deserve a district attorney who protects communities through policies rooted in safety, equity, and care. Yet L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s record reflects a hardline approach to prosecution.

Over the past two decades, the CVRA has compelled hundreds of jurisdictions to adopt district-based elections, which has expanded opportunities for participation, increased minority representation, and more. Yet despite this progress, new challenges have emerged.

The ACLU of Southern California is prepared for whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead—no matter who occupies the White House or sits on the Supreme Court. This report illustrates the collective power of our ACLU community to shape the future of our region, state, and nation.

Thanks to your partnership, the ACLU is equipped to face the most powerful opponents and protect the most vulnerable people. Never before have we battled such sustained assaults on so many fronts—or been more prepared to do so. While the hostile attacks are not stopping, neither is the ACLU.