“Without electricity, people in solitary in Red Onion are completely cut off from the outside world, all for refusing to sign their name to something they believe is false,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Staff Attorney Geri Greenspan. "That's not just cruel – it's unlawful."

“Ripping someone from their home and family, stripping them of their immigration status, and detaining them solely based on political viewpoint and activism is a clear attempt by President Trump to silence dissent,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney Sophia Gregg.

"It's disappointing that Gov. Youngkin is planning to throw good money after bad by wasting Virginians' tax dollars terrorizing local communities," said ACLU of Virginia Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney Sophia Gregg.

“It's no surprise the judge ruled our case can move forward. Workplace discrimination against transgender people is against the law – no matter your religious beliefs,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla.

The effort to enshrine automatic restoration of rights into Virginia's constitution successfully passed this year's legislative session today.The amendment must pass again in next year’s legislative session before heading to the ballot for a statewide vote in November 2026.

Today’s vote was the last step in the legislative process for the 2025 General Assembly session, and is the first step in a two-year constitutional amendment process to protect Virginians’ right to make decisions regarding their own reproductive health care without government interference.

“After all, no executive order can change the Constitution,” said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer. “Our statewide presence and deep bench of advocacy tools were made for moments like this. To get to Virginians, President Trump will have to get past us.”

"Protecting Virginians’ rights will require amending Virginia’s constitution. Today was the first step of this legislative session in a multi-year process, one that will culminate in Virginians themselves voting on whether to enshrine core civil rights safely out of reach of partisan politics."

“Every eligible individual should be able to access the right to vote in order to participate in democracy that affects every aspect of their lives.” said Sheba Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Nolef Turns Inc.