News & Blogs

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of South Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Jun 17, 2025

Jose Antonio Vargas on What We Get Wrong About Immigration Reform

Immigrants' Rights
Vargas shares with the ACLU the common misconceptions about immigration and immigrants that he’s encountered through work with his nonprofit, Define America.
Vargas shares with the ACLU the common misconceptions about immigration and immigrants that he’s encountered through work with his nonprofit, Define America.
A smiling Jose Antonio Vargas and two equally joyful female family members stand to the right of a large sign that reads "JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS
A smiling Jose Antonio Vargas and two equally joyful female family members stand to the right of a large sign that reads "JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS
Jun 13, 2025

Parents Push Back Against the Trump Administration's Latest Attack on Working Families

The Trump administration is attempting to gut Head Start, a federally-funded early childhood program Congress created for low-income families
The Trump administration is attempting to gut Head Start, a federally-funded early childhood program Congress created for low-income families
Teacher and pre-K students using wooden shapes.
Teacher and pre-K students using wooden shapes.
Jun 10, 2025

Pride Statewide: Celebrate LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Pride Across South Dakota

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights

It’s more important than ever that LGBTQ+ communities and allies stand up in solidarity against hate. Let’s celebrate joy, identity and unity this summer!

It’s more important than ever that LGBTQ+ communities and allies stand up in solidarity against hate. Let’s celebrate joy, identity and unity this summer!

Celebrate Pride in South Dakota!
Celebrate Pride in South Dakota!
Jun 9, 2025

What the Marriage Equality Backlash Taught Me About the Fight for Trans Rights

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Anti-trans laws aren’t just about bathrooms or sports, they’re about systematically pushing trans individuals out of public life.
Anti-trans laws aren’t just about bathrooms or sports, they’re about systematically pushing trans individuals out of public life.
The Trans and LGBTQ+ flags waving in the wind in front of the Supreme Court Building in DC.
The Trans and LGBTQ+ flags waving in the wind in front of the Supreme Court Building in DC.
Jun 6, 2025

From Day One, Trump's Immigration Agenda Has Grown More Extreme

Immigrants' Rights
Trump has sought every way to terrorize entire communities in a hunt for our immigrant neighbors that will put all of our civil liberties in danger. As the ACLU prepares for the fight ahead, we offer three key...
Trump has sought every way to terrorize entire communities in a hunt for our immigrant neighbors that will put all of our civil liberties in danger. As the ACLU prepares for the fight ahead, we offer three key...
Two signs are held up during the May Day March In Manhattan, New York on May 1, 2025. The largest of the signs is in the foreground and reads"We Are a Nation of Immigrants," while the smaller in the background reads, " WE ARE ALL (EXCEPT NATIVE...
Two signs are held up during the May Day March In Manhattan, New York on May 1, 2025. The largest of the signs is in the foreground and reads"We Are a Nation of Immigrants," while the smaller in the background reads, " WE ARE ALL (EXCEPT NATIVE...
Jun 2, 2025

What is Habeas Corpus? Why Does It Matter?

Immigrants' Rights
Habeas Corpus has protected our rights since before America’s founding. Today, the Trump administration has threatened to suspend this right to carry out its unlawful immigration agenda.
Habeas Corpus has protected our rights since before America’s founding. Today, the Trump administration has threatened to suspend this right to carry out its unlawful immigration agenda.
A sign reading " HABEAS CORPUS Ensuring No One is Held Without Charge" lying on the ground.
A sign reading " HABEAS CORPUS Ensuring No One is Held Without Charge" lying on the ground.