Press Releases

ACLU Urges Vermont Policymakers to Strengthen Key Immigrants’ Rights Protections

As federal government pursues extreme anti-immigrant agenda, state-level safeguards are more critical than ever.

ACLU of Vermont Issues New Guidance on Students’ Rights for Vermont Schools

Back-to-school toolkit for K-12 schools addresses privacy protections and free speech, LGBTQ+ and immigrants’ rights.

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.