About Our Civil Rights Pillar
Civil rights issues are integral to the equitable functioning of a democratic society, thus this topic is a core focus of the DRC. Topics covered under the Civil Rights Pillar include; protections against discrimination, voting rights, equal access to education, housing, employment, and freedoms related to speech, religion, and identity. More specifically this pillar captures efforts to address systemic inequalities, enforce constitutional protections, and advance social justice through legal, legislative, and community-based action. Civil Rights have been and remain to be a dynamic and urgent policy area due to ongoing disparities, the evolving landscape of legal protections, challenges in technological advancements, shifts in public policy, and growing social movements.
Why It Matters Now
Currently, Civil Rights protections face renewed scrutiny amid shifting federal policies and growing political polarization. Recent executive actions, such as EO14151 and EO14173, signal significant rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies impacting hiring practices, education policy, and workplace protections. In addition, expanded immigration enforcement efforts, including a quadrupled budget courtesy of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), have raised concerns about due process, racial profiling, and the treatment of vulnerable populations. At the state level, legislative actions have enacted numerous anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including bans on gender-affirming care, bathroom use, sports participation, and removal of gender identity from civil rights protections. These developments are occurring alongside a decline in enforcement capacity within key civil rights institutions, including the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. In sum, these trends demonstrate the urgency of sustained monitoring, legal accountability, and public awareness in protecting foundational rights.
Recent Briefings
Written by our analysts, these articles break down important developments and explain how they fit into the broader context of this issue.
Implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Immigration Provisions
On July 4th, 2025 President Trump passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) into law, this bill is also referred to as the OBBBA. The bill passed by one vote in both the House (215-214) and the Senate (51-50). This budget reconciliation bill covers a range of domestic issues (healthcare, economy, business, etc.) as…
Key Issues and Focus Areas
These are the major topics we’re tracking within this pillar. Each one captures a core aspect of how the issue shows up in policy, systems, or everyday life.
Equity in Public Life:
Workplace Protections, Education, and DEI: Recent executive actions have scaled back federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs prompting debate on how to ensure fairness in hiring, education, and public service. These changes affect longstanding civil rights enforcement tools and raise questions about the future of equal opportunity protections.
Voting Rights and Democratic Access:
Legal and procedural changes to voting laws, such as ID requirements, redistricting, and access to mail-in voting, have raised concerns about disenfranchisement and fair representation.
Immigration, Policing, and Due Process:
Expanded immigration efforts, such as increased detentions, workplace raids, and expedited removal processes, have intensified scrutiny of due process rights and access to legal representation. These developments largely affect mixed-status families, labor markets, and broader community trust in institutions.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Protections:
State-level laws addressing gender-affirming care, public accommodations, and participation in education and athletics are increasing. These policies have implications surrounding equal protection, privacy, and access to services.
Gender and Reproductive Rights:
Recent state and legislative actions affecting reproductive health, gender-based violence protections, and workplace discrimination have brought renewed attention to women’s civil rights. Ongoing litigation and legislation continue to shape these developments.
Who's Working on This
These are leading organizations addressing this issue. These groups conduct research, shape policy, and provide resources that help drive progress within this pillar.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Longstanding on-profit organization Dedicated to defending and preserving civil rights
- Brennan Center for Justice – Nonpartisan law and policy institute focused on strengthening democracy, focusing on raising the minimum wage, voter ID laws, and issues of mass incarceration
- The National Immigration Project – Membership organization of attorneys, advocates, and community members focused on rights of immigrants and refugees through litigation, advocacy, and education
- The National Women’s Law Center – Non-profit organization consisting of lawyers, advocates, and experts focused on women's rights and civil liberties, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and reproductive rights.
- The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (Lambda Legal) – Focused on LGBT+ communities and people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, societal education, and public policy work.
Further Reading
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Get Involved
There are many ways to take meaningful action. This section points to organizations, resources, and efforts connected to the issues explored here.
