Institute for Justice
@ij.org
For 30 years, the Institute for Justice has come to the aid of real people fighting outrageous government abuse.
Today we are grateful for IJ's courageous clients who stand up for the rights of all Americans, our dedicated staff who defend liberty in the courts and beyond, and our generous supporters who make this work possible.
From your friends at IJ, we wish you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! 🦃💛
From your friends at IJ, we wish you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! 🦃💛
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Today we are grateful for IJ's courageous clients who stand up for the rights of all Americans, our dedicated staff who defend liberty in the courts and beyond, and our generous supporters who make this work possible.
From your friends at IJ, we wish you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! 🦃💛
From your friends at IJ, we wish you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! 🦃💛
Cities are using high-speed cameras to track where millions of drivers go—often with no warrant and no limits.
But what does this mean for your rights?
RSVP now: https://ij.org/event/the-open-road-and-the-watchful-state-automatic-license-plate-readers-and-the-fight-for-fourth-amendment-privacy/
But what does this mean for your rights?
RSVP now: https://ij.org/event/the-open-road-and-the-watchful-state-automatic-license-plate-readers-and-the-fight-for-fourth-amendment-privacy/
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Cities are using high-speed cameras to track where millions of drivers go—often with no warrant and no limits.
But what does this mean for your rights?
RSVP now: https://ij.org/event/the-open-road-and-the-watchful-state-automatic-license-plate-readers-and-the-fight-for-fourth-amendment-privacy/
But what does this mean for your rights?
RSVP now: https://ij.org/event/the-open-road-and-the-watchful-state-automatic-license-plate-readers-and-the-fight-for-fourth-amendment-privacy/
#GeorgeRetes is a U.S. citizen and veteran.
This summer, ICE agents arrested George. He was detained for 3 days, strip-searched, and forced to provide a DNA sample—all without charges, legal counsel, or being allowed to contact his family.
This is his story:
https://youtu.be/Y91VgKlJfLI
This summer, ICE agents arrested George. He was detained for 3 days, strip-searched, and forced to provide a DNA sample—all without charges, legal counsel, or being allowed to contact his family.
This is his story:
https://youtu.be/Y91VgKlJfLI
www.youtube.com
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
#GeorgeRetes is a U.S. citizen and veteran.
This summer, ICE agents arrested George. He was detained for 3 days, strip-searched, and forced to provide a DNA sample—all without charges, legal counsel, or being allowed to contact his family.
This is his story:
https://youtu.be/Y91VgKlJfLI
This summer, ICE agents arrested George. He was detained for 3 days, strip-searched, and forced to provide a DNA sample—all without charges, legal counsel, or being allowed to contact his family.
This is his story:
https://youtu.be/Y91VgKlJfLI
Reposted by Institute for Justice
ICE has "created what the founders decried as a general warrant: a roving license for agents to search anyone, anywhere, at any time."
- @ij.org's @detahmineh.bsky.social & Rob Frommer in @ms.now on the agency's new biometric surveillance.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
- @ij.org's @detahmineh.bsky.social & Rob Frommer in @ms.now on the agency's new biometric surveillance.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
ICE’s biometric dragnet is a 21st century general warrant for your body
DHS and ICE have created something the Founders feared: a roving license for agents to search anyone, anywhere, at any time.
www.ms.now
November 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ICE has "created what the founders decried as a general warrant: a roving license for agents to search anyone, anywhere, at any time."
- @ij.org's @detahmineh.bsky.social & Rob Frommer in @ms.now on the agency's new biometric surveillance.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
- @ij.org's @detahmineh.bsky.social & Rob Frommer in @ms.now on the agency's new biometric surveillance.
www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
This summer, ICE agents arrested #GeorgeRetes, a U.S. citizen and veteran.
He was detained by ICE and others for 3 days, strip-searched him and forced him to provide a DNA sample—all without charges.
Now, as ICE ramps up this type of data collection, Retes & countless other Americans are at risk.
He was detained by ICE and others for 3 days, strip-searched him and forced him to provide a DNA sample—all without charges.
Now, as ICE ramps up this type of data collection, Retes & countless other Americans are at risk.
ICE’s biometric dragnet is a 21st century general warrant for your body
DHS and ICE have created something the Founders feared: a roving license for agents to search anyone, anywhere, at any time.
www.ms.now
November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This summer, ICE agents arrested #GeorgeRetes, a U.S. citizen and veteran.
He was detained by ICE and others for 3 days, strip-searched him and forced him to provide a DNA sample—all without charges.
Now, as ICE ramps up this type of data collection, Retes & countless other Americans are at risk.
He was detained by ICE and others for 3 days, strip-searched him and forced him to provide a DNA sample—all without charges.
Now, as ICE ramps up this type of data collection, Retes & countless other Americans are at risk.
Leo is an American citizen.
If being American means anything, it’s that he should be free to work without worrying the government will raid the property without a warrant & arrest him for doing nothing wrong.
If being American means anything, it’s that he should be free to work without worrying the government will raid the property without a warrant & arrest him for doing nothing wrong.
The latest from @jaredmcclain.bsky.social, a senior attorney at @ij.org, who represents Leonardo Garcia Venegas in a federal class-action lawsuit:
I'm in WaPo today explaining why the administration's profiling of people for immigration stops based on their ethnicity and occupation is unconstitutional:
wapo.st/43W3haf
wapo.st/43W3haf
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Leo is an American citizen.
If being American means anything, it’s that he should be free to work without worrying the government will raid the property without a warrant & arrest him for doing nothing wrong.
If being American means anything, it’s that he should be free to work without worrying the government will raid the property without a warrant & arrest him for doing nothing wrong.
Reposted by Institute for Justice
Libby Souder taught swim lessons to kids in her backyard in Columbia, SC for years and she did it with the approval of the city. But last year, the city reinterpreted its rules and banned her backyard lessons. Now @ij.org is helping her fight back against abusive zoning rules.
November 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Libby Souder taught swim lessons to kids in her backyard in Columbia, SC for years and she did it with the approval of the city. But last year, the city reinterpreted its rules and banned her backyard lessons. Now @ij.org is helping her fight back against abusive zoning rules.
Backyard Swim Lessons Now Illegal in This City
Read more here:
https://ij.org/case/columbia-south-carolina-home-swim-lessons/
Read more here:
https://ij.org/case/columbia-south-carolina-home-swim-lessons/
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Backyard Swim Lessons Now Illegal in This City
Read more here:
https://ij.org/case/columbia-south-carolina-home-swim-lessons/
Read more here:
https://ij.org/case/columbia-south-carolina-home-swim-lessons/
Reposted by Institute for Justice
This piece highlights @ij.org’s work to end qualified immunity
If someone hits you with a car, shoots you, or kidnaps you, our legal system lets you sue them for money
Unless they work for the government—then you’re out of luck
We’re now seeing what happens when law enforcement’s above the law
If someone hits you with a car, shoots you, or kidnaps you, our legal system lets you sue them for money
Unless they work for the government—then you’re out of luck
We’re now seeing what happens when law enforcement’s above the law
Here’s last night’s story about police chases, why the risks involved massively outweigh the benefits, and why people should be allowed to say “shit” on the news. We, as a nation, are well beyond the word “shit” destroying anyone’s innocence. Just…look around. youtu.be/wVFXUkFx5Y8
Police Chases: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 8:25 PM
This piece highlights @ij.org’s work to end qualified immunity
If someone hits you with a car, shoots you, or kidnaps you, our legal system lets you sue them for money
Unless they work for the government—then you’re out of luck
We’re now seeing what happens when law enforcement’s above the law
If someone hits you with a car, shoots you, or kidnaps you, our legal system lets you sue them for money
Unless they work for the government—then you’re out of luck
We’re now seeing what happens when law enforcement’s above the law
Tomorrow is the DC premiere of “When Cops Become Robbers,” a powerful #CivilForfeiture documentary featuring IJ Sr. Attorney Dan Alban.
Panel + reception to follow.
RSVP now @cato.org!
Panel + reception to follow.
RSVP now @cato.org!
When Cops Become Robbers
In this feature documentary, the corruption of civil asset forfeiture is brought to light through the stories of those trying to end it.
www.cato.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Tomorrow is the DC premiere of “When Cops Become Robbers,” a powerful #CivilForfeiture documentary featuring IJ Sr. Attorney Dan Alban.
Panel + reception to follow.
RSVP now @cato.org!
Panel + reception to follow.
RSVP now @cato.org!
Throughout the country, local governments are partnering with private companies to install automatic license plate reader cameras (#ALPRs) on their roadways.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
Check out @ij.org's newest episode of Beyond the Brief, featuring me and IJ Attorney Michael Soyfer talking about warrantless mass surveillance and license plate readers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xU5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xU5...
How Police Around the Country Are Conducting Mass Surveillance
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Throughout the country, local governments are partnering with private companies to install automatic license plate reader cameras (#ALPRs) on their roadways.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
Reposted by Institute for Justice
This is nowhere close to being true.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Kristi Noem: "No American citizens have been arrested or detained. We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting."
October 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This is nowhere close to being true.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Reposted by Institute for Justice
A witness in our case had ICE reject all her documents after using facial rec on her.
For her, tho, it seemed like nothing could make them accept that she has a right to be here.
Either way, a gov policy of not trusting gov-issued docs is going to violate lots of people's rights.
For her, tho, it seemed like nothing could make them accept that she has a right to be here.
Either way, a gov policy of not trusting gov-issued docs is going to violate lots of people's rights.
October 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A witness in our case had ICE reject all her documents after using facial rec on her.
For her, tho, it seemed like nothing could make them accept that she has a right to be here.
Either way, a gov policy of not trusting gov-issued docs is going to violate lots of people's rights.
For her, tho, it seemed like nothing could make them accept that she has a right to be here.
Either way, a gov policy of not trusting gov-issued docs is going to violate lots of people's rights.
Reposted by Institute for Justice
We just filed our PI brief in this one detailing how these stops are illegal, in part, because DHS won’t accept that REAL IDs are real.
ICE rejected one woman’s ID and put her in shackles because “the Biden Administration made a lot of mistakes.”
ij.org/press-releas...
ICE rejected one woman’s ID and put her in shackles because “the Biden Administration made a lot of mistakes.”
ij.org/press-releas...
October 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We just filed our PI brief in this one detailing how these stops are illegal, in part, because DHS won’t accept that REAL IDs are real.
ICE rejected one woman’s ID and put her in shackles because “the Biden Administration made a lot of mistakes.”
ij.org/press-releas...
ICE rejected one woman’s ID and put her in shackles because “the Biden Administration made a lot of mistakes.”
ij.org/press-releas...
Victory! Court Blocks Land Grab In Historically Black Community
More here: https://ij.org/press-release/victory-court-rules-in-favor-of-historically-black-community-of-freeport-texas-to-keep-their-land-in-battle-with-port-and-eminent-domain/
More here: https://ij.org/press-release/victory-court-rules-in-favor-of-historically-black-community-of-freeport-texas-to-keep-their-land-in-battle-with-port-and-eminent-domain/
October 27, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Victory! Court Blocks Land Grab In Historically Black Community
More here: https://ij.org/press-release/victory-court-rules-in-favor-of-historically-black-community-of-freeport-texas-to-keep-their-land-in-battle-with-port-and-eminent-domain/
More here: https://ij.org/press-release/victory-court-rules-in-favor-of-historically-black-community-of-freeport-texas-to-keep-their-land-in-battle-with-port-and-eminent-domain/
George Retes on His 3 Day ICE Detention
October 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
George Retes on His 3 Day ICE Detention
US citizens across the country have been caught up in immigration raids, arrested, and detained.
How do they get justice when their constitutional rights have been violated?
🧵
How do they get justice when their constitutional rights have been violated?
🧵
NEW: The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
US citizens across the country have been caught up in immigration raids, arrested, and detained.
How do they get justice when their constitutional rights have been violated?
🧵
How do they get justice when their constitutional rights have been violated?
🧵
Now available in a variety of powerful formulations:
💊 Qualified Immunity
💊 Absolute Immunity
💊 Municipal Immunity
💊 Prosecutorial Immunity
💊 Judicial Immunity
Take your pick — there’s a dose for every level of power.
Immunity™: It stops accountability dead.
💊 Qualified Immunity
💊 Absolute Immunity
💊 Municipal Immunity
💊 Prosecutorial Immunity
💊 Judicial Immunity
Take your pick — there’s a dose for every level of power.
Immunity™: It stops accountability dead.
Introducing Immunity™: The Legal Drug That Erases Consequences
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
www.youtube.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Now available in a variety of powerful formulations:
💊 Qualified Immunity
💊 Absolute Immunity
💊 Municipal Immunity
💊 Prosecutorial Immunity
💊 Judicial Immunity
Take your pick — there’s a dose for every level of power.
Immunity™: It stops accountability dead.
💊 Qualified Immunity
💊 Absolute Immunity
💊 Municipal Immunity
💊 Prosecutorial Immunity
💊 Judicial Immunity
Take your pick — there’s a dose for every level of power.
Immunity™: It stops accountability dead.
Reposted by Institute for Justice
Chicago folks: I'll be speaking at this as will 2 of my @ij.org colleagues. Come join us!
SAVE THE DATE: Nov. 6-7, we're hosting a symposium with @brennancenter.org and Northwestern University Law Review exploring the future of state constitutional rights. Virtual and in-person registration options are available, and IL CLE credit is pending for in-person participants. Register today:
The Power of State Constitutional Rights
Judges, practitioners, and scholars explore critical issues facing state courts and constitutions.
brennan.swoogo.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Chicago folks: I'll be speaking at this as will 2 of my @ij.org colleagues. Come join us!
Final Victory: Following Sylvia Gonzalez's landmark #SupremeCourt win in 2024, Castle Hills, Texas, City Council agreed to:
👉 Mandatory First Amendment training for Castle Hills officials
👉 $500,000 in damages to Sylvia
👉 Mandatory First Amendment training for Castle Hills officials
👉 $500,000 in damages to Sylvia
Final Victory: Castle Hills Vote Confirms Sylvia Gonzalez’s Win Against Retaliation - Institute for Justice
Last night, the Castle Hills, Texas, City Council voted to ratify a settlement agreement that brings to an end the years-long lawsuit filed by former […]
ij.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Final Victory: Following Sylvia Gonzalez's landmark #SupremeCourt win in 2024, Castle Hills, Texas, City Council agreed to:
👉 Mandatory First Amendment training for Castle Hills officials
👉 $500,000 in damages to Sylvia
👉 Mandatory First Amendment training for Castle Hills officials
👉 $500,000 in damages to Sylvia
Immunity for Arresting the Wrong Woman? Court Says NO!
Learn more about this case here: https://ij.org/case/florida-mistaken-identity-arrest/
Learn more about this case here: https://ij.org/case/florida-mistaken-identity-arrest/
October 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Immunity for Arresting the Wrong Woman? Court Says NO!
Learn more about this case here: https://ij.org/case/florida-mistaken-identity-arrest/
Learn more about this case here: https://ij.org/case/florida-mistaken-identity-arrest/
🚨 New Case Alert 🚨
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
September 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🚨 New Case Alert 🚨
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Reposted by Institute for Justice
Our Latest Podcast: Won't You Take Me To YIMBYTown?
Recorded before a live audience at @yimbytown.bsky.social 2025! With @profschleich.bsky.social @andrewdfine.bsky.social & Ari Bargil of @ij.org!
ij.org/podcasts/sho...
Recorded before a live audience at @yimbytown.bsky.social 2025! With @profschleich.bsky.social @andrewdfine.bsky.social & Ari Bargil of @ij.org!
ij.org/podcasts/sho...
ij.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Our Latest Podcast: Won't You Take Me To YIMBYTown?
Recorded before a live audience at @yimbytown.bsky.social 2025! With @profschleich.bsky.social @andrewdfine.bsky.social & Ari Bargil of @ij.org!
ij.org/podcasts/sho...
Recorded before a live audience at @yimbytown.bsky.social 2025! With @profschleich.bsky.social @andrewdfine.bsky.social & Ari Bargil of @ij.org!
ij.org/podcasts/sho...
Army Vet Sues DEA to Return His $8500 (He Won!)
September 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Army Vet Sues DEA to Return His $8500 (He Won!)
Victory in Freeport, Texas!
Last week, the Texas 14th Court of Appeals rejected an attempt by the Port of Freeport to use #EminentDomain to seize land from a group of property owners in Freeport’s historically Black community.
🧵
Last week, the Texas 14th Court of Appeals rejected an attempt by the Port of Freeport to use #EminentDomain to seize land from a group of property owners in Freeport’s historically Black community.
🧵
September 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Victory in Freeport, Texas!
Last week, the Texas 14th Court of Appeals rejected an attempt by the Port of Freeport to use #EminentDomain to seize land from a group of property owners in Freeport’s historically Black community.
🧵
Last week, the Texas 14th Court of Appeals rejected an attempt by the Port of Freeport to use #EminentDomain to seize land from a group of property owners in Freeport’s historically Black community.
🧵