Court Cases

Featured Cases

Court Case
Jun 30, 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 sued 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 was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on April 1, 2026. On June 30, 2026, we won.
Court Case
Jan 8, 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
Apr 10, 2026
No Troops in Our Street poster at a protest in Portland, Maine.
  • Immigrants' Rights

Carvajal-Muñoz v. Ravencamp, et. al. – Holding Federal Officials Accountable

We’re suing federal immigration agents for abducting a Portland man and violating his civil rights during a surge of reckless federal operations in Maine.

All Cases

55 Court Cases
Court Case
Jun 23, 2021
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Thurlow v. Nelson

The ACLU of Maine submitted an amicus brief defending the constitutionality of the state's law governing so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
Court Case
Mar 30, 2021
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Portland Chamber of Commerce et al. v. City of Portland

Court Case
Mar 3, 2021
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Immigration Legal Advocacy Project et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The ACLU of Maine, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic (RHRC) at the University of Maine School of Law are suing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for information about its detention activities in Maine.
Court Case
Feb 19, 2021
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A.S. v. LincolnHealth

The ACLU of Maine filed an amicus brief supporting the due process rights of people who are involuntarily hospitalized in Maine.
Court Case
Feb 2, 2021
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ACLU of Maine Foundation v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The lawsuit seeks to compel USCIS to release information about how the Boston and Newark asylum offices assess asylum requests. The lawsuit comes after advocates observed a marked decrease in asylum approvals from the Boston Sub-Office, especially for asylum seekers from central African countries.
Court Case
Feb 2, 2021
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Rodriguez v. Wolf et al.

The lawsuit challenges the practice by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of transferring immigrant detainees from New England to ICE detention facilities in southern states.
Court Case
Aug 11, 2020
View of CBP agent from the back with green uniform and marking reading "CBP / Border Patrol / Federal Agent"
  • Immigrants' Rights|
  • +1 Issue

Holding Border Patrol Accountable – Drewniak v. US CBP

We sued the federal government in 2020 for unconstitutional border patrol checkpoints in northern New England. In 2023, Border Patrol agreed to stop operating a problematic checkpoint until January 1, 2025.
Court Case
May 21, 2020
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Denbow v. Liberty

Court Case
Apr 15, 2020
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Denbow v. State

The ACLU of Maine filed a petition for post-conviction review on behalf of Joseph Denbow. The petition challenges Mr. Denbow's prison sentence which, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, risks becoming a death sentence.