Rights At Risk in The United States
As of April 2025, several proposed bills and policy initiatives in the United States are raising significant concerns among civil rights advocates. These measures have the potential to impact voting rights, press freedom, LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, and more. Here's an overview of some of the key developments:
Voting Rights Under Scrutiny
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, recently passed by the House and awaiting Senate consideration, mandates documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections. Critics argue that this requirement could disenfranchise millions, particularly women who have changed their names after marriage and may lack matching documentation. An estimated 69 million women and four million men could be affected. (Community invited to free presentation on SAVE Act's impact on voter rights)
In a related development, a federal judge blocked key provisions of former President Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote, ruling that the Constitution assigns Congress and the states—not the President—the power to regulate federal elections. (Trump's executive order mandating proof of citizenship to vote is blocked by federal judge after flurry of legal setbacks)
Press Freedom and Civil Liberties
The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, recently rescinded a policy that limited subpoenas of journalists, sparking backlash over press freedom concerns. (US revokes policy restricting subpoenas of reporters' phone records - as it happened)
LGBTQ+ Rights and Project 2025
Project 2025, a comprehensive policy agenda proposed by conservative groups, includes measures that could significantly impact LGBTQ+ rights. The plan advocates for: (Project 2025 Targets Civil Rights Through Elimination of Department of Education – AFGE Local 252, Project 2025 Aims to Strip Away Our Civil Rights - Common Cause)
Outlawing gender-affirming care for minors and adults.
Reinstating the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Removing terms like "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" from federal laws, potentially allowing for legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Rescinding regulations prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (Project 2025 Aims to Strip Away Our Civil Rights - Common Cause, What Project 2025 could mean for LGBTQ+ Americans)
Reproductive Rights Challenges
Project 2025 also proposes banning mifepristone, a medication used in more than half of all abortions in the U.S., and prosecuting individuals who send abortion medication through the mail. Additionally, it seeks to expand digital surveillance to enforce these policies, raising privacy concerns. (Project 2025: What’s At Stake for Civil Rights)
Educational and Civil Rights Protections
The same policy agenda calls for eliminating the Department of Education, which could dismantle civil rights protections in schools, particularly those related to race, gender, and disability. This move would make it more challenging for individuals to lodge civil rights complaints against educational institutions. (Project 2025 Targets Civil Rights Through Elimination of Department of Education – AFGE Local 252)
Data Privacy and Surveillance
The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), a proposed comprehensive data privacy law, initially aimed to enhance consumer protections. However, recent revisions have removed several consumer protections, including sections related to civil rights, leading many privacy and civil society organizations to withdraw support. (American Privacy Rights Act)
Internal Displacement Due to Policy Changes
A growing number of Americans are relocating across state lines in response to restrictive laws affecting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and academic freedom. These internal "refugees" are seeking safer environments amid increasing political and legal pressures in their home states. (Meet the new American refugees fleeing across state lines for safety)
These developments underscore the dynamic and often contentious nature of civil rights in the United States. As legislative and policy debates continue, staying informed and engaged remains crucial for all citizens.