Clarissa Woo Hermosillo, Director of Policy Advocacy: “Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA). The ACLU of Southern California celebrates this decision as a huge victory for the millions of uninsured Americans who will now be able to participate more fully in the economic, political and social life of the nation.

Hector Villagra, ACLU/SC Executive Director: Today the Supreme Court struck down most of Arizona's SB 1070, the anti-immigrant draconian law that was passed in 2010. Three key provisions were struck down today and these were some of the most outrageous provisions in the law.

Hector Villagra, ACLU/SC Executive Director: The Supreme Court today struck down key provisions of Arizona’s SB 1070. In striking down these provisions, the Court upheld the exclusive power of the federal government to regulate immigration.  This is a strong rebuke to Arizona’s claim of broad authority to set immigration policy.

Hector Villagra, ACLU/SC Executive Director: It is fitting that today the federal government should announce an order preventing DREAM Act-eligible undocumented immigrants from being deported. Thirty years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a state law prohibiting undocumented children from receiving a free public education. The Court recognized the unfairness and irrationality of punishing innocent children who are here through no fault of their own by denying them an education.

The ACLU of Southern California held its 18th Annual Law Luncheon, which honors and recognizes the work of attorneys and bravery of individuals who speak up when injustices occur.

The court granted the motion for class certification to include present and future inmates in Men’s Central Jail, Twin Towers, and the Inmate Reception Area. The court also made it clear that it found no merit to disqualify the ACLU as counsel.

By Inimai Chettiar, ACLU & Alex Stamm, ACLU Center for Justice As states begin to realize that they can reduce their prison populations safely, the pace of reform has begun to pick up a bit this year. State legislative sessions are coming to a close, which makes it a good time to review the actions lawmakers have taken to reduce their unsustainable prison populations in 2012. Here are the some of the legislative reform highlights:

Today, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in the case of California Justice Committee v. Bowen, prohibiting the California secretary of state from enforcing a January deadline by which new political parties must meet onerous qualification requirements in order to place their candidates on California’s November presidential ballot.