In the Face of Fear and Grief, Our Mission Remains Clear
Despite over a year of warnings and alarms about the dangers posed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), last week, federal agents killed an unarmed and innocent man in Biddeford. Like so many others, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero came to this country seeking freedom and a better life for his family. His extrajudicial killing was the result of laws that have allowed thousands of untrained agents of chaos and cruelty to descend on America's streets.
It would be easy to allow grief and fear to overwhelm and disrupt us. Yet this is when our commitments become most crucial: as boundaries to remind us of the danger posed by dehumanization and violence, and as compass bearings that keep us moving in the right direction and focused on what matters most.
Our work continues in memory and honor of those who have carried the torch of civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans, because our belief in the possibility of freedom for all – freedom from tyranny and harm at the hands of the state, and freedom to be who we are and live lives of self-determination – remains as essential as ever in our lifetimes. This fight is going to take all of us working together, and we invite you to learn more and join us.
New Laws to Keep ICE Out of Maine
Protecting our communities from lawless and dangerous immigration enforcement is more important than ever.
That's why the new ICE Out of Maine laws are crucial. On Wednesday, July 29, three laws will take effect: ICE Out of Policing, ICE Out of Schools and State Healthcare, and ICE Out of Our Homes.
These laws draw a line to protect against federal overreach, build community trust, and allow people to live safely and freely. They limit state and local participation in federal immigration operations so all people can feel safe going to school, seeking medical treatment, living in their homes, or calling 911 in an emergency. They will ensure that Maine officials answer to Maine people, not unaccountable federal agencies.
These laws take effect on July 29 – but they'll only be effective if Maine officials follow the law. Sign our petition urging them to fully implement the ICE Out laws on day one.
See You In Court
Legal Update
We've had multiple exciting developments in several of our lawsuits, including birthright citizenship, protected free speech, due process, and more.
- Protecting Birthright Citizenship: In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in our favor in Trump v. Barbara, blocking the president's executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship. The decision reaffirms what the Constitution has made clear for over 150 years: If you're born in the U.S., you are a citizen of the U.S. Learn more and see pictures from our time in DC.
- Free Speech at Government Events: We're suing on behalf of Amanda McGonigle, an online influencer who was barred from attending a public, taxpayer-funded event in Bangor because she criticized Vice President JD Vance on social media. Armed federal agents told her she could not enter the event, citing her criticism of the administration as the reason for excluding her. That's unconstitutional, so we sued. No matter who holds power, the government cannot retaliate against people for expressing their views. Learn more about this free speech case.
- LGBTQ+ Rights and Religious Liberty: Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled in two cases that all Maine schools receiving public funds must play by the same rules. The court agreed with our argument that private religious schools receiving public tuition funds are not exempt from Maine's anti-discrimination laws and cannot discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Learn more about this school funding case.
- Defending Immigrants' Rights with Habeas Corpus: Habeas corpus is one of our country's most important and longest-standing protections against unlawful detention. In response to the Trump administration's cruel and indiscriminate immigration crackdown, the ACLU of Maine and our partners have used habeas petitions to secure the release of dozens of immigrants who were unlawfully detained in Maine. As of June 2026, nearly 70% of immigration habeas cases in Maine have resulted in release from detention. We expect these numbers to continue to increase as we build a network of advocates across New England. Learn more about our habeas work.
