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Supreme Court hears travel ban arguments

This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Trump’s long-contested travel ban. The travel ban blocks people from six majority Muslim countries from entering the country. The Justices will now decide if the ban amounts to religious discrimination.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Flint four years later

Four years ago, this week, the water crisis in Flint began. In 2014 and 2015, it was revealed that the water supply in flint contained extremely dangerous levels of lead that was harming the city’s residents. The contaminated water largely affected people of color and represented the often-overlooked issue of environmental racism. Four years later, Flint still lacks clean water.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Washington State works towards fair juries

Washington State is working to combat racial discrimination within the American justice system. Racial bias has always been a concerning part of jury selection. Washington is making this process fairer by adding independent observers who can raise concerns of racial bias in the process.

Padding border assault stats

U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases data annually on the number of assaults their agents face in a given year. In the last year, the agency has started using a new method to tally these assaults. This resulted in a dramatic increase in attacks that misrepresents actual levels of violence along the border.

Top news stories and must-read articles.

Headlines

Congress considers new authorization of force

Some members of Congress are planning on proposing a new authorization of force that would give President Trump broad powers to take military action. Congress is an important check to make sure the President isn’t taking any unnecessary military actions. By writing a blank check for the president, Congress is dodging an important responsibility.

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Discriminatory dress codes

Many dress codes across the country are discriminatory and infringe on student freedoms. Schools have enacted dress codes that have gendered requirements and reinforce harmful stereotypes. Many young women especially have faced embarrassment and discrimination that stems from these school policies.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Duckworth leads charge for Congressional Moms

Before this week, the Senate would not allow children on the Senate floor. This created a challenge for Senator Tammy Duckworth, who just recently became the first Senator to give birth to a child while in office. Senator Duckworth and Senator Klobuchar helped get a unanimous Senate rules change through which allows children up to one year onto the Senate floor.

THE ACLU’S TAKE