Civil Rights Groups File Lawsuit after State Education Officials Failed to Act in Response to January 2013 Report Documenting the Illegal Practice LOS ANGELES — The ACLU of California (ACLU), the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), and the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP today filed a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of public school students, parents, and educators against the State of California and state education officials related to the denial of language instruction to tens of thousands of English Learner (EL) students across California, in violation of federal and state law. 

Statement by Hector Villagra, Executive Director of the ACLU of Southern California: "The ACLU of California welcomes the federal comprehensive immigration reform bill announced late Tuesday night by the Senate Gang of 8. This historic bill has the potential to advance the civil rights and liberties of all Californians and put the estimated 2.6 million undocumented immigrants who currently live in our state on the road to citizenship.

(Sacramento) The School Success and Opportunity Act (AB 1266), authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, has passed the Assembly Education Committee by a vote of 5-2. The School Success and Opportunity Act addresses the exclusion of transgender students from classes and activities, and clarifies existing anti-discrimination law to provide clear protections to transgender students.

(Los Angeles) A panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that immigrants who have experienced prolonged detention have a right to a bond hearing to determine whether or not they should continue to be detained.

(Los Angeles) Today, the ACLU of Southern California (ACLU/SC) is proud to announce that its Deputy Executive Director James Gilliam is a recipient of Loyola Law School’s Outlaw Alumni of the Year Award. Gilliam received his law degree from Loyola Law School in 2003 and has been one of its most active alumni.  The Outlaw Alumni Award is bestowed on graduates who demonstrate, in their practice of law and public service, a deep concern for social justice and an unwavering commitment to advance the rights of the LGBT community.

On Friday, March 29th, ICE closed the deportation case of Ruth Montaño, the Bakersfield mother who faced deportation following her arrest for having dogs that barked too much.  ICE’s announcement that it would not seek to deport Ruth came just days after the ACLU of Southern California (ACLU/SC) and Cuentame, a Latino organization that uses social media to shine the light on social justice issues, released a short video about her case.  The ACLU of Southern California applauds ICE for taking swift action to correct its mistakes, as Ruth never should have been placed in deportation proceedings in the first place.

Today the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (ACLU/SC) sent a letter to the Anaheim City Council it to establish a Civilian Police Review Board to promote police accountability and restore community trust in the police force. The letter details the limitations of the current oversight structure for allegations of police misconduct in Anaheim, including a lack of transparency, a lack of impartiality, and an absence of resident involvement.