News & Commentary

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...

Help Wanted: Oklahoma’s Immigration Crisis and the Urgent Need For Habeas Counsel

Oklahoma has a growing immigration enforcement crisis.

By Travis Handler

Latest Event

NextGen Meeting: Find your voice. Create change.

The goal of this program is to provide students with a place to meet other young advocates, connect with community leaders, and learn new skills and information that will allow them to be better advocates in their schools and communities.

The purpose of this first meeting is for students to get to know each other and meet community organizing leaders in OKC. Students will also have a chance to brainstorm ideas on how to approach pressing issues in their communities.

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More from the Press

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

May 04, 2026

287(g) in Oklahoma: How Local Police Become Immigration Enforcers

The 287(g) program was created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996. Participation in the program is completely voluntary, meaning local officials choose whether they wish to enter into a cooperative agreement with ICE.

By Camree Bennett-Cox, Travis Handler

ACLU: Share image
May 08, 2024

Oklahoma Travel Advisory

Exercise increased caution in Oklahoma due to risk of civil and constitutional rights violations.

Oklahoma Travel Advisory
Sep 23, 2020

ACLU of Oklahoma Sends Open Records Request to Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority

This morning, the ACLU of Oklahoma requested records, per the Oklahoma Open Records Act, 51 O.S. §§24A.1-24A.29, from the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority focused on communications over the policy or changes in policy of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

Defund ICE
Mar 23, 2020

Freedom Oklahoma and the ACLU of Oklahoma Urge State, Local Leadership to Take Further Steps to Protect Resident

Freedom Oklahoma and the ACLU of Oklahoma released recommendations that the Oklahoma City government, State officials, and policymakers across Oklahoma must consider to achieve a fair and effective response to COVID-19.

COVID-19
Jul 15, 2013

Coming out of the Shadows of a Broken U.S. Immigration System

Deisy Escalera--Latino Community Organizer, ACLU of Oklahoma--was born in Aguascalientes Mexico, raised in Oklahoma City. She is a student at the University of Oklahoma, former Miss Hispanic OU, Affiliate Lead for Dream Act Oklahoma, and in 2012 she was named one of Oklahoma's 10 Most Influential Hispanic Leaders.

By Bryan Newell