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Civil Rights

4914 ABA Journal Civil Rights articles.

Trump cabinet secretaries conspired to violate Constitution, judge says

A federal judge Thursday decried what he said were “breathtaking” constitutional violations by senior Trump administration officials and called the president an “authoritarian” who expects everyone in the executive branch to “toe the line absolutely.”

Jan 16, 2026 11:55 AM CST

Judges in this state aren’t required to perform same-sex marriages, top state court rules

Texas judges can decline to perform same-sex weddings because of their "sincerely held religious belief" and not be in violation of the rules on judicial impartiality, according to the Texas Supreme Court.

Jan 14, 2026 1:43 PM CST

Supreme Court appears skeptical of arguments against bans of trans athletes

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared skeptical of arguments Tuesday against state bans on transgender athletes playing on women’s sports teams and whether such laws violate the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection.

Jan 13, 2026 2:10 PM CST

DOJ’s top civil rights prosecutors depart as office is cut out of key probes

At least five senior prosecutors in the criminal section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced their resignations this week, believing that the Trump administration has undermined the work and mission of the section, according to four people familiar with the personnel moves.

Jan 13, 2026 12:30 PM CST

Supreme Court considers challenges to laws banning transgender participation in sports

Becky Pepper-Jackson was assigned male at birth but began transitioning to a female gender identity in third grade. Her West Virginia school district has been sympathetic, providing a gender support plan that among other things respects her chosen name and pronouns.

Jan 8, 2026 10:54 AM CST

Judge convicted of obstructing federal immigration agents resigns

A Wisconsin judge who was convicted last month of obstructing federal agents trying to arrest an undocumented immigrant has resigned from her position, according to the New York Times.

Jan 6, 2026 10:03 AM CST

As ICE arrests increase, so do scammers preying on immigrants who need legal services

Scams tend to follow the news, says Shane Lucado, a Birmingham, Alabama, lawyer and founder of InPerSuit, a website that helps people find lawyers. He adds that immigration-related fraud has picked up in the past year, with individuals posing as lawyers, government officials or agents who can help.

Jan 1, 2026 12:45 AM CST

Breaking the Stigma: Gavin Alexander shares mental health struggles to improve the profession

Gavin Alexander often tells other lawyers that success and seeking help aren’t mutually exclusive. Alexander, the Boston-based well-being director at Jackson Lewis, speaks from experience.

Jan 1, 2026 12:25 AM CST

DOJ sues state officials over laws protecting immigrants at courthouses

The Department of Justice is suing Illinois' Democratic governor and attorney general, claiming that new state laws prohibiting detention of immigrants at courthouses and other key locations are unconstitutional and “threaten the safety of federal officers,” according to the Associated Press.

Dec 24, 2025 10:15 AM CST

Judge found guilty of helping immigrant escape federal agents

A Wisconsin judge who helped a Mexican immigrant evade federal agents was found guilty of obstruction Thursday.

Dec 19, 2025 9:56 AM CST

Some noncitizens may have Second Amendment rights, federal appeals court says

While upholding the firearms conviction of a Guatemala native who had been illegally living in the United States for a decade, the majority on a federal appeals court panel said earlier this week the rights of some noncitizens to bear arms could still be protected by the Second Amendment, Courthouse News Service reports.

Dec 18, 2025 9:35 AM CST

Activist lawyer caught up in accusations of sex and drugs with client is disbarred

An attorney known for his activism on behalf of the homeless has been disbarred for allegedly pressuring a client to sign a plea agreement and mishandling her money while also propositioning her for sex and cocaine.

Dec 16, 2025 10:07 AM CST

Prosecutor says judge knew she would get ‘heat’ for aiding immigrant

Federal prosecutors on Monday alleged a Wisconsin judge helped a Mexican man briefly elude immigration officials in April and that just before she directed him through the back door of her courtroom, she said that she would “get the heat” for it.

Dec 15, 2025 1:30 PM CST

Attorney discovers secret ‘watch list’ for immigration lawyers

Al Otro Lado, an immigration advocacy group, said it has found what appears to be a hidden “watch list” on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement government website, according to WGNO.

Dec 15, 2025 10:01 AM CST

Fired Department of Education staff invited back to work

Staff at the U.S. Department of Education, who were targeted for termination in March, this week received emails calling them back to work because of a backlog of cases.

Dec 11, 2025 11:58 AM CST

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