Press Releases

Statement on Supreme Court Decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti

Court ruling allows Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care to stand, though treatment remains available in Vermont.

In New Legal Guidance, ACLU of Vermont Urges Public and Private Entities to Resist Voluntary Compliance with Unlawful Federal Executive Actions

Constitutional experts call on institutions to uphold existing obligations under state and federal law when faced with potentially unlawful federal directives.

Statement on Governor Scott’s veto of H.91

Veto of essential emergency housing program reforms endorses a continuation of under-resourced hotel/motel voucher program.
Issue Areas: Housing

ACLU statement on passage of shelter reform bill H.91 

The Vermont legislature has passed H.91, a comprehensive bill reforming the state's emergency housing program, now awaiting the Governor's signature. This legislation shifts the emergency shelter system to a new program with support services, standards, and homelessness prevention.

ACLU of Vermont Statement on Governor Scott Signing S.44

Governor Phil Scott signed S.44, a bill that removes a loophole allowing law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities without the governor's approval. The ACLU of Vermont praised this action as a crucial step in protecting immigrants and preventing federal overreach.

Rümeysa Öztürk To Be Freed From Detention as Case Proceeds

A federal court has ordered the release of Rümeysa Öztürk, after she was detained for over six weeks following the publication of an op-ed she co-authored. This ruling allows her to return to her Massachusetts community and continue her studies while her case proceeds.

Appeals Court Orders Trump Administration to Transfer Rümeysa Öztürk to Vermont

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration’s request to further delay Rümeysa Öztürk’s transfer to Vermont. The appeals court mandated that the government comply by moving Ms. Öztürk from a detention center in Louisiana to a facility in Vermont within one week.

Rümeysa Öztürk’s Legal Team to Urge Appeals Court to Not Delay Student’s Transfer to Vermont

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on May 6th on whether a federal judge's order to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk to VT should be granted or further delayed. Additionally, the court will consider the government's motion to consolidate the cases of Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi.

Federal Court Orders Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Released on Bail

In a positive outcome, Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi from prison on bail today, pending the resolution of his habeas petition. The government’s request for a seven-day pause to Mohsen’s release was denied by the judge. Mohsen's immigration hearing is set for May 1.