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Court Case
Feb 20, 2026
A demonstrator looks up at her sign (which reads "Citizenship is a Birthright") during a rally outside the Supreme court building demanding the court uphold the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
  • Immigrants' Rights

Barbara v. Trump – Class Action to Protect Birthright Citizenship

We're suing the Trump administration for trying to end birthright citizenship, a core American principle that is outlined in the plain language of the 14th Amendment. The case will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on April 1, 2026.
Court Case
Jan 08, 2026
Robbins Graphic
  • Criminal Legal Reform

Robbins v. State of Maine – Protecting the Right to Counsel

We're suing the state for failing to provide effective legal assistance to people who cannot afford their own attorney – just as the Sixth Amendment demands. A person’s freedom should never depend on their wealth.
Court Case
Feb 27, 2026
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  • Disability Rights|
  • +1 Issue

United States v. Maine – Protecting Youth Disability Rights

The State of Maine has a troubling history of failing to protect children with disabilities. After the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation that found Maine was discriminating against children with disabilities, the DOJ sued the state. The state and DOJ reached a settlement agreement that strengthened protections for Maine’s children under federal disability rights law. The ACLU of Maine and its partners are now fighting to ensure that settlement remains in place and its protections are upheld.

All Cases

51 Court Cases
Court Case
Feb 27, 2026
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  • Freedom of Expression

Hussey v. Cambridge – Free Speech of Public Employees

We filed an amicus brief urging a federal appeals court to apply the correct test to determine if a Massachusetts police officer’s comments are protected by the First Amendment.
Court Case
Jan 08, 2026
Birthright Citizenship Case
  • Immigrants' Rights

NHICS v. Trump – Defending Birthright Citizenship

We're suing the Trump administration for issuing an executive order that blatantly violates the plain language of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Court Case
Jan 08, 2026
Smith v Trump Case Graphic
  • Freedom of Expression

Smith v. Trump – Defending Freedom of Speech

On April 11, 2025, the ACLU and ACLU of Maine filed a lawsuit on behalf of two human rights advocates who, because of an executive order signed by President Trump, have been forced to stop humanitarian work with the International Criminal Court.
Court Case
Jan 08, 2026
An individuals holding a sign saying "Voting Rights Are For People Not Parties," outside of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments in the Voting Rights case Callais v. Landry.
  • Voting Rights|
  • +1 Issue

United States v. Bellows – Protecting Sensitive Voter Data

We’re challenging the federal government’s attempt to access Maine’s unredacted voter file – including information like voters’ social security and driver’s license numbers.
Court Case
Jan 08, 2026
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  • Immigrants' Rights

Guerrero Orellana v. Hyde, et. al.

In September 2025, the ACLU of Maine, together with several partners, filed a class action lawsuit in federal court to challenge the widespread denial of bond hearings to people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As the complaint demonstrates, this denial upends decades of settled law and established practice in immigration proceedings.
Court Case
Jul 10, 2025
Yellow background with jail bars and handcuffs overlayed
  • Criminal Legal Reform

Reining In Unchecked Police Power – Gaul v. York County, et al.

We're suing to protect Maine's people from unreasonable warrantless arrests after a York County man was detained, arrested, and strip searched for a minor, nonviolent misdemeanor charge – all without a warrant or any public safety or flight risk. Police officers should not have the authority to arrest people for minor misdemeanors without a single justification.
Court Case
Apr 18, 2025
University of Maine
  • Immigrants' Rights

Pasula v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.

The ACLU has filed a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of over 100 students whose F-1 student immigration statuses were unlawfully terminated. We're asking the court to reinstate their F-1 student status so that they can continue their studies.
Court Case
Mar 26, 2025
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  • Civil Rights and Liberties

Stainnak v. Trump

The ACLU of DC is representing dozens of federal workers -- including a plaintfill from Maine -- who were targeted in Trump's purge of federal employees associated with DEI initiatives.
Court Case
Oct 10, 2023
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  • Freedom of Expression

Upholding First Amendment Rights – State v. Labbe

We filed a friend-of-the-court brief with Maine’s highest court arguing the state’s vague anti-stalking law opened the door to the criminalization of speech in violation of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision. New legislation amended the law to ensure people cannot be prosecuted for protected speech.