Press Releases

ACLU of Virginia files first-of-its-kind immigration lawsuit

"Immigrant survivors of crime have rights,” said ACLU-VA Immigrants’ Rights Attorney Sophia Gregg. “Virginia law is very clear: police departments can’t arbitrarily refuse to issue U visa certifications any more than they could refuse to investigate the crimes that make people eligible for them."
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights

FAMM and ACLU of Virginia release joint statement on passage of independent prison oversight

"We applaud the legislature for their bipartisan support of independent prison oversight, and encourage Governor Youngkin to sign this important legislation into law,” said ACLU of Virginia's Policy and Advocacy Strategist Shawn Weneta.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU of Virginia files suit against Virginia Department of Education on behalf of two transgender students

“VDOE’s 2023 model policies harm the very students they’re supposed to protect. They have already resulted in discrimination that violates state and federal law,” said ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

Senate bills to ban transgender athletes are dead, but the Virginia Department of Education is still targeting trans inclusion in sports

“VHSL’s policies for transgender athletes have worked for over a decade,” said Breanna Diaz, Policy and Legislative Counsel for ACLU of Virginia. “Banning trans students from playing sports consistent with their gender identity violates federal law and guidance – and hurts cisgender students, too.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

Not in our names: Joint statement against Texas’ cruelty at the border

ACLU affiliates issue a response to Republican governors’ escalation of immigration enforcement.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights

Formerly incarcerated Virginians to lobby lawmakers for Second Look legislation

The Second Look Lobby Day will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond and end at the Virginia State Capitol, where impacted people will meet with lawmakers. 
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Virginia Supreme Court reinstates case seeking to allow misgendering of transgender students

The Supreme Court of Virginia issued a ruling today reinstating a case brought by a public school teacher seeking the right to mistreat transgender students by refusing to refer to them with the pronouns consistent with their gender identity and sending it back to lower courts.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Rights

The release of one ACLU of Virginia client who earned sentence credits should be the first of many

"Potentially hundreds of people who’ve worked for years to earn their release will finally get it, and we’re thrilled that Mr. Puryear is home with his family," said Vishal Agraharkar, ACLU-VA Senior Supervising Attorney.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Virginia’s election decisively rejects abortion restrictions

"This election was a critical step to protect Virginians’ civil rights and civil liberties, and a clear repudiation of attempts to roll them back," said ACLU-VA Executive Director Mary Bauer.