Press Releases

Freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment, is part of the fabric of our democracy. It serves as a vital check on government power and ensures the public’s right to make informed decisions. The ACLU of Puerto Rico supports the work of journalists, defends access to public information, and upholds the public’s right to know — because a free and independent press is essential to justice and accountability.

Media Requests:
David Cordero Mercado
Communications Director
dcordero@aclu.org
acluofpr@aclu.org

Court victory defending freedom of expression and public oversight of prison conditions

The court rejected an attempt at prior restraint against an organization that exposes the conditions faced by the incarcerated population, in a case represented by the ACLU of Puerto Rico and the Legal Aid Clinic of the Inter American University School of Law.
Issue Areas: Free Speech

Mass surveillance proposals under consideration by the legislature threaten constitutional protections

The ACLU of Puerto Rico warned that while public safety is a shared goal, that objective is not achieved by violating rights—as is the case with Senate Bill 974, House Bill 897, and Senate Joint Resolution 198.

Federal Appeals Court Unanimously Strikes Down Puerto Rico’s COVID-Era Censorship Law

The law chilled journalists’ reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and threatened press freedom during declared emergencies
Issue Areas: Free Speech

The ACLU of Puerto Rico and legal organizations urge the U.S. Court of Appeals to maintain the block on President Trump’s unconstitutional attacks against Harvard

Last year, the Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempts to seize ideological control over Harvard University
Issue Areas: Free Speech

First Circuit blocks Fiscal Board’s attempt to shield officials sued for civil rights violations

In an ACLU of Puerto Rico case, the Fiscal Oversight Board had appealed an order by Judge Laura Taylor Swain clarifying that PROMESA does not protect current and former officials sued in their personal capacity.
Issue Areas: Free Speech

Supreme Court Again Denies DTOP’s Attempt to Keep Subpoena on Immigrants Hidden

For the second time, the Supreme Court’s determination in the ACLU of Puerto Rico case reaffirms the fundamental right of access to information and the people’s right to know how the exchange between the state agency and ICE took place
Court Cases: ACLU of PR v. DTOP

Supreme Court rejects DTOP petition: order to disclose subpoena on immigrant data remains in effect

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
Court Cases: ACLU de PR v. DTOP

ACLU of Puerto Rico calls on the public and organizations to document violations of the right of access to information

The organization denounced Governor Jenniffer González Colón’s signing of Senate Bill 63, which restricts a constitutional right
Issue Areas: Free Speech

ACLU of Puerto Rico defends access to public information before the Court of Appeals

The organization responded to the Department of Justice and DTOP’s attempt to continue hiding the alleged subpoena related to immigrants
Issue Areas: Free Speech