A Nation’s Right to Determine its Friends

A Nation’s Right to Determine its Friends

President Nelson Mandela of South Africa delivers his speech during arrival ceremonies On the South Lawn at the White House. – Washington, DC. USA, 4th October 1994 By Sir Ronald Sanders, pressroom.oecs.org Nelson Mandela in 1990 was a towering symbol of the triumph of right over wrong. Released from prison after 27 cruel years for […]

New York Watchdogs Lack Data to Track Judges’ Compliance With Bail Reform

Although the new law took effect in January, state data showing how courts are applying it won’t be available until July 2021. And without funding, courts in small towns and villages may never collect the data.

New York Watchdogs Lack Data to Track Judges’ Compliance With Bail Reform

By Steven Yoder, TheAppeal.org Before New York State’s bail reform law passed in April 2019, police, sheriffs, and prosecutors warned of dire consequences.   “I think that it could cause some havoc,” said Kristyna Mills, Jefferson County’s district attorney. Jim VanBrederode, police chief in the town of Gates, warned that without bail, those arrested wouldn’t have a reason to show up in […]

What Rent Drop? Listed Prices Aren’t Budging Where COVID-19 Hit Hardest

What Rent Drop? Listed Prices Aren’t Budging Where COVID-19 Hit Hardest

By Rachel Holliday Smith, THE CITY In some parts of the city, rents have dropped since the COVID-19 crisis began. But for neighborhoods that felt the effects of the coronavirus most, listed prices have risen slightly, according to a new analysis. The annual rental report by the apartment-listings site StreetEasy paints a very different price picture between […]

Economic impact payment fix for 50,000 eligible spouses

Economic impact payment fix for 50,000 eligible spouses

By Karen Hobbs, Assistant Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Are you married to someone who owes past-due child support? Was your portion of the economic impact payment (“EIP”) mistakenly applied to pay your spouse’s debt? If so, you’re not alone. In mid-September, the IRS will automatically send “catch-up” payments to eligible spouses […]

Did someone tell you to pay with gift cards? It’s a scam

Did someone tell you to pay with gift cards? It’s a scam

By Traci Armani, Consumer Education Specialist, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Maybe someone said you’ve won the lottery, a prize or sweepstakes. Or they claim to be from the government and tell you there’s a problem with your Social Security number. And, to collect your winnings or solve your problem, you have to […]

Your voting plan in 4 easy steps

Your voting plan in 4 easy steps

We have just 50 days until Election Day, and it’s imperative that every eligible voter safely casts their ballot amidst the ongoing pandemic. As the ACLU continues to fight for voting rights nationwide, we also want to help you make your own voting plan now. Here are four easy ways to start putting your voting plan […]

The Impact of COVID-19 on Noncitizens and Across the U.S. Immigration System

The Impact of COVID-19 on Noncitizens and Across the U.S. Immigration System

Editorial photo of a lone vehicle and otherwise empty lanes of traffic approaching the crossing of the US/Canadian border into the US, during Covid-19 border shutdown – Blaine, WA/USA-March 20, 2020 (Shutterstock) By Jorge Loweree, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick and Walter Ewing, Ph.D., American Immigration Council The COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) pandemic, and the federal government’s response, […]

Challenging Customs and Border Protection’s Unlawful Practice of Turning Away Asylum Seekers

Challenging Customs and Border Protection’s Unlawful Practice of Turning Away Asylum Seekers

By American Immigration Council This case challenges the government’s policy – the Turnback Policy – of turning away asylum seekers at ports of entry (POEs) across the U.S.-Mexico border since 2016. The plaintiffs in the case are Al Otro Lado, a non-profit legal services organization that serves indigent deportees, migrants, and refugees in Los Angeles […]