Free Speech

The Supreme Court's determination in the case of the ACLU of Puerto Rico reaffirms the fundamental right of access to information and the people's right to know how the transaction between the state agency and ICE occurred

The law chilled journalists’ reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and threatened press freedom in emergencies

The organization opposed the measure during a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, while reminding lawmakers that government actions must always be governed by the principle of maximum disclosure and transparency

Authorized statement regarding the House’s approval of Senate Bill 63

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Puerto Rico filed a petition for mandamus in the Court of First Instance in San Juan against the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP), Edwin González Montalvo, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, seeking the immediate release of all documents related to the transfer of confidential information concerning nearly 6,000 migrants who obtained driver’s licenses under Act No. 97 of 2013, including a subpoena allegedly issued by a federal agency. The ACLU-PR’s action comes after DTOP refused to provide copies of information requests issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as the legal assessments and the information that was turned over in response to those requests. The agency’s response relied on generalities, without legally substantiating its claim of confidentiality, which constitutes a failure to perform a ministerial duty and a flagrant violation of the right of access to public information, a constitutional right in Puerto Rico. The lawsuit is based on the public disclosure that, between February and March 2025, DTOP turned over personal data on nearly 6,000 drivers with unregularized immigration status to federal immigration agencies. The federal government later confirmed that these data are being actively used to identify immigrants, locate them, arrest them without a warrant, and deport them. The ACLU-PR underscored that this action by the government of Puerto Rico was carried out in direct contravention of Act 97-2013 itself, which requires the Secretary of DTOP to establish the necessary mechanisms to ensure that this registry cannot be used to discriminate and that the information is not disclosed.

Alvin Marrero-Méndez v. Héctor Pesquera, et al. (Case No. 13-cv-01203-JAG) is a civil lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff, Alvin Marrero-Méndez, a police officer, experienced discrimination and retaliation from his supervisors because of his religious beliefs, or lack thereof. The lawsuit claims that supervisors subjected him to mandatory, officially sponsored prayer and unwanted proselytizing. When Marrero-Méndez objected to these practices, he was humiliated publicly, disarmed, given downgraded duties such as washing cars, and denied days off. The complaint seeks monetary damages and an injunction to stop these practices and restore the plaintiff's regular job duties.

Alvin Marrero-Méndez v. Héctor Pesquera, et al. (Caso No. 13-cv-01203-JAG) es una demanda civil presentada en el Tribunal de Distrito de EE. UU. para el Distrito de Puerto Rico. La queja alega que el demandante, Alvin Marrero-Méndez, quien es un agente de policía, sufrió discriminación y represalias por parte de sus supervisores debido a sus creencias religiosas, o la falta de ellas. La demanda sostiene que los supervisores lo sometieron a oraciones oficiales obligatorias y a un proselitismo no deseado. Cuando Marrero-Méndez se opuso a estas prácticas, fue humillado públicamente, se le desarmó, se le asignaron tareas de menor rango, como lavar autos, y se le negaron días libres. La queja busca compensación por daños y una orden judicial para detener estas prácticas y restaurar las responsabilidades laborales del demandante.

María Bernadette Estévez v. Yira Silva Bonilla, et als. (Civil Case No. AU2022-CV-00577) is a defamation lawsuit filed in the Aguadilla Superior Court against a mother, Yira Silva Bonilla. The lawsuit stems from the mother's social media posts in which she alleged that her seven-year-old son with autism and his service dog were denied entry to a school meeting. The ACLU of Puerto Rico, representing the mother, has filed multiple motions to dismiss based on freedom of speech (First Amendment), but these efforts have been overruled by the court. The ACLU of Puerto Rico reached an agreement between the parties.