Trump Faces Legal Action Brought by an Individual

In the heart of the United States, the administration's immigration policies have sparked a wave of resistance, with sanctuary cities like New York refusing to cooperate with federal authorities on immigration matters. This stance makes it more challenging for ICE to take action, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.

The Trump administration's actions have been met with widespread resistance, as demonstrated by the massive No Kings protests attended by over 5 million people. The resistance is not limited to protests, but also includes civil disobedience and legal action. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a long-standing advocate for civil liberties, has been at the forefront of this battle.

Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU's Free Speech, Privacy & Technology Project, has been one of Donald Trump's most significant civil society opponents for months. Wizner, who wears a T-shirt protesting for the rights of residents without congressional representation in Washington, D.C., has used lawsuits as a tactic, filing 79 since Trump's return to the White House in 2025.

One of the most high-profile cases involves Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, who was arrested by ICE in March 2025. Khalil's detention was declared unconstitutional on June 11, 2025. The Trump administration's insistence that it can deport Khalil based on his speech and activism interfering with U.S. foreign policy has been a contentious point in this case.

The courts have also blocked the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan gang members without trial. This decision highlights the judiciary's role in checking the executive branch's power. Wizner believes the justice system still works, as shown by the 75% of cases in which they received an injunction against the government. An example of successful litigation is the blocking of Trump's executive order repealing the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship principle.

The government's actions, such as arrests based on racial profiling and searches without warrants, have been considered unconstitutional. The ACLU is also suing against the practice of arresting immigrants directly from courtrooms. Companies like Palantir, which provide data to ICE, have been accused of selling their products to as many people as possible, raising questions about their role in the immigration debate.

The future of Trump's administration hangs in the balance, with the midterm elections in 2026 and the presidential election in 2028 looming on the horizon. The outcome of these elections will likely shape the course of immigration policy in the United States. As the battle rages on, one thing is clear: the ACLU and other advocates for civil liberties will continue to fight for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.