Immigrants' Rights

We believe the fundamental constitutional protections of due process and equal protection embodied in our Constitution and Bill of Rights apply to every person, regardless of immigration status.

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The ACLU of New Hampshire is dedicated to protecting all immigrants – citizens and non-citizens alike – from unlawful imprisonment, discrimination and law enforcement abuses, and ensuring that they are afforded their due process rights to a fair hearing and access to legal assistance in immigration proceedings.

We work to ensure that:

  • No one can be imprisoned in an immigration jail for prolonged periods of time without an opportunity for a hearing where they can seek release on bond.
  • The conditions in which immigrants are detained are humane, and that detainees have adequate access to medical care, to visitation with their loved ones and to legal materials and assistance.
  • No one can be deported without a fair hearing, legally correct decisions in immigration cases, and access to legal assistance, including especially vulnerable populations such as people with mental disabilities.
  • Everyone can be secure in their homes and their workplaces and protected from unconstitutional searches and arrests by federal immigration agents.
  • All non-citizens have equal access to naturalization and other important immigration benefits, regardless of race, religion or national origin.
  • Local law enforcement agencies do not unlawfully engage in the business of federal immigration enforcement, including by arresting, incarcerating or confiscating property of an individual solely because of their immigration status.

The ACLU of New Hampshire’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, launched in 2018, works with over a dozen organizations using targeted impact litigation, advocacy, and public outreach to protect the rights and liberties of immigrant and refugee Granite Staters.

The Latest

Press Release
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NH federal court grants preliminary injunction to restore legal status of university student in New Hampshire  

Court Victory: A federal judge in Concord granted a preliminary injunction restoring our client's F-1 legal status and allowing him to continue his studies. 
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Press Release
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ACLU-NH Statement on Announcement of SEVIS Record Reactivations

Many questions remain, including the criteria that will be used for these reactivations and whether this will apply to students who did not file lawsuits.  
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Press Release
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ACLU files class action lawsuit challenging terminated student status of students in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico

No administration should be allowed to circumvent the law to unilaterally strip students of status, disrupt their studies, and put them at risk of deportation.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Press Release
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NH federal court temporarily restores terminated student status of Dartmouth College student

The federal court in New Hampshire said during an emergency hearing today that it would temporarily restore the F-1 student immigration status of a Dartmouth College student.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Court Case
Apr 20, 2025

Pasula v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al.

Court Case
Apr 09, 2025

Liu v. Secretary of Department of Homeland Security

Court Case
Jan 20, 2025

New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al.

Court Case
May 22, 2023

ACLU of New Hampshire v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection