Welcome to the January issue of The Brief, the monthly email newsletter of the ACLU of Northern California. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While the tyrant in the Oval Office seeks to silence and divide us, we hold these truths to be self-evident: diversity is a strength, freedom is a birthright, dissent is patriotic, and justice is our guiding light. Together, we will fight to preserve our democracy. And we will prevail.

ICE arrests halted at immigration courthouses

A federal district court has stopped ICE arrests at immigration courthouses in Northern and Central California while our class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's unlawful policy proceeds. For months, ICE has ambushed and arrested immigrants when they show up for their mandatory court hearings, leaving people with an impossible choice: follow the rules and risk detention, or skip the hearing and receive a deportation order. With this ruling, people can pursue their asylum and immigration cases without fear of detention.

In our second case, the court blocked the administration's policy of unlawfully re-arresting and re-detaining immigrants the government previously released from custody after concluding they were neither dangerous nor a flight risk. Before the administration abruptly changed course in May, immigrants whom the government deemed safe to release were allowed to remain free while their immigration case proceeded if they complied with their supervision conditions. The decision applies throughout Northern and Central California.

Video: We must resist to save our democracy

Giselle Garcia of NorCal Resist, a Sacramento-based advocacy group, talks about the risks volunteers take to show up for their immigrant neighbors in the face of escalating violence by ICE and Border Patrol. Watch on YouTube.

Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, youtube.com.

Humanitarian protections restored for thousands

A federal court has restored humanitarian protections for 60,000 individuals from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua, most of whom have lived and worked lawfully in the United States for decades. The court found that the Trump administration's abrupt decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these long-term residents was “preordained” and made without taking into consideration the conditions in the countries, as required by law.

While a separate federal court order declaring the termination of TPS for Venezuelans unlawful did not restore their right to live and work here legally, Venezuelan TPS holders who are National TPS Alliance members can use the order to challenge their detention or deportation in court. With our partners, we took on both these cases to preserve humanitarian protections for people who came to the U.S. seeking refuge and whose home countries remain in crisis. This fight will continue.

Siskiyou County settles racial profiling claims

As a result of our lawsuit challenging systemic racial discrimination against Asian American residents, Siskiyou County has agreed to adopt a policy prohibiting racial profiling in traffic stops. Among other reforms, during traffic stops sheriff's deputies must:

1. Have reasonable suspicion or probable cause of a violation to seek consent for a search;
2. Advise motorists of their right to refuse a search;
3. Provide interpreters for non-English speakers; and
4. State the reason for all stops on camera, which must remain on during the interaction.

The settlement, which also establishes independent oversight of the sheriff's office and removes illegal property liens, is a first step toward ending the targeted harassment Asian Americans endured for years in Siskiyou County. We will continue litigating claims that the county has restricted the Asian American community's access to water.

Video: Vallejo police officers dodge accountability

Years after Vallejo police officers killed their loved ones, grieving families are still waiting for justice. Watch on YouTube.

Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, youtube.com.

Final thoughts:

• New year, new website. Check out our revamped website where you'll find the latest developments in our court cases, blogs by policy experts, and Know Your Rights resources.
• ICYMI: Watch our Year in Review video highlighting the work we did defending democracy in 2025.

Thanks for reading this issue of The Brief. We'll see you back here next month!