Ensuring "We the People" Means All of Us
The spread of COVID-19 is a crisis, and it will take many of us working together to respond appropriately, effectively, and fairly. The ACLU of Maryland is monitoring the situation to ensure the government’s response is scientifically justified and no more intrusive upon civil liberties than absolutely necessary. In particular, we will provide guidance to our elected officials on crafting a response that protects the populations most vulnerable to harm, including immigrants and those caught in the legal justice system, as well as all Maryland voters.
Here you will find information about the ACLU’s response to COVID-19, including lawsuits, news updates, blog posts, letters to public officials and more. We will update this page as the situation develops. See below for more resources.
TAKE ACTION
Tell Governor Hogan: We have vulnerable people in our prisons and jails, and children and immigrants detained, and we must protect them.
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Know Your Rights during COVID-19 so you can make your own decisions during police interactions.
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LEGAL CASES
Miranda v. Barr: Immigrants file federal class action complaint and petition for writ of Habeas Corpus, challenging lack of fair hearings (Filed on April 30, 2020)
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Petition for Extraordinary Writ: Court of Appeals Called on to Sound Alarm about Unfolding Crisis by Taking Quick Action to Ensure Compliance with CDC Guidance (Filed on April 7, 2020)
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Coreas v. Bounds: Immigrants' rights groups sue ICE to release Maryland detainees most at risk of COVID-19 (Filed on March 25, 2020)
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Administrative Complaint against Baltimore Immigration Judge David Crosland for refusing to follow public health experts’ recommendations, CDC, and the Maryland Governor’s calls for social distancing (Filed March 17, 2020)
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LETTERS
Letter from ACLU of Maryland to the State Board of Elections with recommendations for protecting voter rights and access to the ballot for the November general election (June 17, 2020)
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Letter from ACLU of Maryland and Lifer Family Support Network to Governor Hogan demanding aggressive COVID-19 testing for residents and workers in Maryland’s prisons and jails (May 6, 2020)
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Letter from ACLU of Maryland to Andrea Trento, Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland State Board of Elections (April 12, 2020)
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Letter from a coalition of justice-focused organizations to Governor Hogan urging him to depopulate every aspect of the correctional system as practically, expediently, and safely as possible, to stem the spread of COVID-19 (April 8, 2020)
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PRESS RELEASES
Court Orders Release of Detained Individuals from Maryland Immigration Facilities (May 7, 2020)
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Groups Demand Aggressive COVID-19 Testing for Residents, Workers in Maryland’s Prisons and Jails (May 6, 2020)
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Groups Call on Governor Hogan to Allocate $153 Million to Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention and to Extend and Expand the Current Eviction and Utility Shutoff Moratoria (May 1, 2020)
READ
Public Health Experts, Attorneys, and Families Urge Maryland High Court to Take “Extraordinary” Action to Prevent COVID-19 Spread in Places of Detention and Beyond (April 7, 2020)
READ
Gov Hogan Response of Using At-Risk Prisoners to Make Protective Equipment for Others Shows Disregard for Their Lives (April 3, 2020)
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Immigrant Rights Groups Sue ICE To Release Maryland Detainees Most at Risk of COVID-19 (March 24, 2020)
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Groups Recommend Changes in Elections Procedures (March 18, 2020)
READ
Coalition Urges Governor Hogan to Act to Prevent Public Health Crisis in Maryland Prisons and Jails (March 18, 2020)
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Baltimore Immigration Judge Refuses to Postpone Court Dates in the Midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic (March 17, 2020)
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BLOGS
ACLU of Maryland's Top 3 Priorities During the Coronavirus Pandemic (April 21, 2020)
READ
Coronavirus: Give Everyone a Fighting Chance (April 1, 2020)
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Compassion and the Coronavirus: 4 Reasons to Let People Out of Detention (March 27, 2020)
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PODCAST
Thinking Freely: Uplifting Our Rights and Humanity During the COVID-19 Crisis (EP. 09) (April 2, 2020)
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VIDEO
Seeking COVID-19 Compassion for Marylanders in Jails and Prisons (March 26, 2020)
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FROM THE NATIONAL ACLU
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
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FURTHER INFORMATION
Letter from Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to Governor Hogan Regarding Expedited Commutation (April 3, 2020)
READ
Letter from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, School of Nursing, and School of Medicine Experts Detailing Risks for Detained Populations and Calling for Reduced Incarceration (March 25, 2020)
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Letter from Maryland Public Health Experts Detailing Risks for Detained Populations and Calling for Reduced Incarceration (March 19, 2020)
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