Immigrants' Rights

Immigrants' Rights

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Upholding the rights of immigrants is important to us all. The fundamental constitutional protections of due process and equal protection embodied in our Constitution and Bill of Rights apply to every person and are not limited to citizens.

Immigrants are entitled to certain broad constitutional protections.

Due Process: The right to be treated fairly, whether in a deportation hearing or a criminal court proceeding, applies to every person within U.S. borders.

Equal Protection: Prohibits discrimination based on race or national origin.

Free Speech and Religious Freedom: These rights are protected under the First Amendment.

See our Know Your Rights: Immigration page for more details.

Know Your Rights: Immigration

The Latest

Event | In-Person
ACLU of South Carolina blue logo

Beaufort Roundtable: ICE, Community Safety, and Your Rights

Aug 29, 2025 | 6:30 PM
Event | In-Person
"Advocacy 101: November 8, 6 p.m. Littlejohn Community Center, Clemson" on an orange background beside a photo of the South Carolina State House

Clemson: Advocacy 101

Nov 08, 2023 | 6:00 PM
Event | In-Person
"Advocacy 101: November 5, 3 p.m. USCB Bluffton Library, Room 237" in orange text overlaid on a grayscale photo of the South Carolina State Hous

Bluffton: Advocacy 101

Nov 05, 2023 | 3:00 PM
Event | In-Person
Infographic text: The Freedom to Read Coalition presents Censorship: How Educators and Community Members Can Speak Out. A panel discussion. Monday, July 31st, 4:30 pm. Alford Ballroom in Atheneum Hall, Coastal Carolina University.

Censorship: How Educators and Community Members Can Speak Out

Jul 31, 2023 | 4:30 PM
Legislation
Jan 14, 2026

Blocking Gender Changes on Birth Certificates (S. 162)

Senate Bill 162 would only allow changes to the gender on a birth certificate within 12 months of a person’s birth. It would also define “gender” in state law to reflect sex assigned at birth, applying a political definition instead of a scientifically accurate one.
Status: Active
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Jan 13, 2026

Criminalizing Abortion Medications (H. 4760)

This bill would criminalize the distribution, possession, and use of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which are used for medication abortion, managing miscarriages, treating pregnancy complications, and a variety of other uses. Under this bill, the state would imprison people up to five years for possessing these essential medications without a prescription, or for using them to obtain an abortion.
Status: Active
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Jan 13, 2026

Classroom Censorship Policy (H. 4757)

This bill would allow parents to exempt their children from any classroom instruction in a public school if it conflicts with their “beliefs or practices regarding sex, morality, or religion.” It would also forbid classroom discussions of "gender roles or stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation” unless a teacher gives parents five days' advance notice and receives affirmative consent from the parents.
Status: Active
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Dec 10, 2025

Anti-American Library Association Policy (S. 707)

This bill states that a library board would not be allowed to require a chief librarian, library director, or library employee to be certified by the American Library Association or have a master’s degree from a program certified by the ALA.
Status: Active
Position: Oppose