The arrest of a sitting judge is an alarming move that signals a dangerous abuse of federal power—one that threatens judicial independence and any remaining checks on Trump’s power.  It will also make our communities less safe. People must have trust in the courts to be willing to report a crime. When people in our communities are afraid to access the courts out of fear of being snatched up by ICE, it hurts our communities in so many ways. And it ties back to the broader anti-immigrant crackdown aligned with Trump’s Project 2025 framework. Together, we must protect the rule of law, judicial independence, and the rights of every person who appears in a courtroom—regardless of immigration status. We’ve already seen how ICE abuses its power to target student activists, U.S. citizens, legal residents and green card holders, and Trump’s political opponents—often without a warrant. When does it end? If we don’t speak up now—and demand our elected officials do the same—there’s no telling how far this administration will go. Sign the petition for Congress to investigate this judge’s arrest immediately.  All of these arrests, abductions, and deportations aren’t just about attacking immigrants and marginalized communities. Trump is using his administration to fearmonger so he can continue to seize and build his power without opposition. Without checks and balances.  Demand Congress act NOW to answer for Kash Patel’s—and ultimately Donald Trump’s—dangerous overreach.  Image credit: Wall Street Journal

The Trump Administration has arrested a sitting judge – Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan.  These are the actions of a dictator. This isn’t just an arrest, it’s a blatant attack on judicial independence meant to send a chilling warning to every judge in the country. Here’s what’s happening: federal agents wanted to arrest someone at a hearing before Judge Dugan. Judge Dugan said no, protecting the integrity of her courtroom and refusing to turn it into an ambush zone. And in response, the FBI opened an investigation into her, and now has arrested her on charges that could send her to prison for years. But here’s what’s crystal clear – even under the Trump regime, standing up for due process and our Constitutional rights should be celebrated, not punished. It’s on all of us to speak out for what’s right. Add your name to tell the Trump Administration to STOP this authoritarian power grab.

President Trump – who has sworn an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend” our Constitution – is illegally trying to shred one of its most important guarantees of equal rights: the 14th Amendment. His executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship would endanger millions of people born in this country and permanently reshape what it means to be an American. Common Cause is evaluating our legal options to respond – because we simply can’t let this stand. The good news is no president, including Trump, can override an official, ratified part of the U.S. Constitution. But the bad news is this fact won’t stop them from trying, and in doing so, striking fear for millions of our neighbors that they’ll be condemned to permanent second-class status.   Combined with his plan to deport thousands of families and community members in the first week of his administration, Trump’s already made clear that he’s beginning his presidency by forcing American immigrants into hiding and denying us all the multi-racial democracy and safe neighborhoods we deserve. The 14th Amendment is clear – and legal experts say Trump would likely need to pass a constitutional amendment to overrule it. But Trump and his cronies in Congress know they can’t do that, so they’re desperately searching for any way around our checks and balances. If you agree we can’t let that happen, join us in urging Congress to protect birthright citizenship – and REJECT this blatant attempt to divide our communities and attack our constitutional rights.

By taking these steps, you will send a clear message: Our community values the safety, health, and dignity of all its residents. You will rebuild broken trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. You will ensure our schools remain places of learning, our hospitals places of healing, and our houses of worship places of peace. Sign this petition now to demand an end to police-ICE collaboration and protect our community's vital sanctuaries. Let's restore trust and build a truly safe community for everyone.

This is important because these immigrants who are here legally working, contribute to our society, both financially and culturally. They have done nothing wrong because they have done what the US told them to do by filing for and receiving work authorization documentation, as well as social security numbers. You are reneging on something our former government gave permission for which makes us all look very bad and we believe it is unethical and immoral. 

We are Kilmar, Mahmoud and Rumyesa. They are us. The Trump administration’s violation of Constitutional rights will not stop with them. 

We all need to participate in holding the U.S, Government accountable to enforce the demands set forth by the judicial branch to uphold the law in the interest of EVERY CITIZEN. 

Kilmar is not alone. He is one of over 250 immigrants deported without due process, as part of Trump’s $6 million deal with Bukele’s government—a plan to funnel immigrants, often with no criminal record, into El Salvador’s prisons under the false label of “gang affiliation.” Now, during Bukele’s visit to the White House, Trump is trying to expand this secretive deportation pipeline, using U.S. taxpayer dollars to outsource human rights abuses abroad. We demand the Trump administration comply with the Supreme Court ruling and immediately bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back home to his family. No one should be disappeared into a foreign prison without evidence, trial, or justice. Add your name to condemn this illegal and horrifying abuse—and call on Trump and his officials to stop this inhumane deportation scheme and free Kilmar. 

This is not a drill. Trump is weaponizing ICE and Homeland Security to arrest and disappear people, including students, fathers, academics, among other everyday people, in yet another power grab demonstrating his complete disregard for our rights and freedoms. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was accidentally deported due to "administrative error,” remains stuck in legal limbo in an El Salvador prison, forcibly separated by thousands of miles from his wife and 5-year-old child, who is autistic and intellectually disabled. Marco Rubio’s State Department recently revoked the visa of Óscar Arias Sánchez, the former leader of Costa Rica and a Nobel laureate, for no reason other than being a vocal critic of Trump and his administration. Andry José Hernández Romero, a makeup artist from Venezuela, was deported to a prison in El Salvador after being accused of being a gang member because of his tattoos. He was deported before his lawyers could present evidence against the administration’s accusations. Student activists are also having their rights and legal protections being stripped. Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, and Momodou Taal are just some of the many students who have had their legal status ripped away for speaking out for Palestinian rights on campus.  These civil rights violations are a dangerous and slippery slope. It’s terrifying to think that everyday people could be seized without due process, disappeared by the Trump administration under the false guise of safety.  Trump’s revoking legal status, threatening deportation, and weaponizing federal agencies against protesters and those who disagree with him is a dictatorial move. This is a coordinated effort to intimidate, punish, and silence Trump’s critics. This won’t stop with immigrants, and this isn’t just about our right to dissent. This is about whether we allow one man to turn the power of government against the people it’s supposed to serve. Add your name now to protect our communities and our right to protest without persecution!  Photo source: USA Today

This decision to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices and discontinue the DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan should concern not just University of Michigan students, faculty, and alumni, but anyone who values higher education, diversity, and academic freedom. Here’s why:  1. It Sets a Dangerous Precedent – If a leading public university like Michigan backs down under federal pressure, other institutions may follow, leading to a nationwide rollback of DEI initiatives. This weakens higher education's ability to support historically marginalized groups. 2. It Empowers Authoritarian Tactics – By complying with political intimidation, Michigan signals that academic institutions can be bullied into abandoning their core values. This emboldens those who want to dismantle equity efforts, making it easier for future attacks on universities, faculty, and students. 3. It Hurts Students and Faculty – DEI programs provide crucial resources, mentorship, and protections for underrepresented students and faculty. Removing them makes campuses less inclusive and more hostile for many communities. 4. It Undermines Academic Freedom – Universities should be spaces for critical thought, debate, and progress. Allowing government overreach to dictate educational policy threatens the independence of institutions dedicated to truth and scholarship. 5. It Echoes Historical Patterns of Suppression – Historically, authoritarian regimes have targeted universities first, recognizing their role in shaping society and challenging oppressive ideologies. This decision mirrors past moments where institutions either resisted or enabled such takeovers. People should be paying attention because what happens at Michigan could happen elsewhere—and the consequences extend far beyond one campus.

Recess is a time for members of Congress to return to their home states. They should be using this week to meet with their constituents, give space for their concerns, and take that back to D.C. Instead, House Republican leaders are now reportedly telling their offices to avoid holding public events when they are home for March recess. Tim Burchett had scheduled a town hall for March 16, but canceled it citing concerns about "professional instigators" (The Hill). This is the opposite of the directions Democrats are receiving—with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraging all members to connect directly with constituents to talk about the Republican-backed attacks on key services like Social Security and Medicaid embodied by Elon Musk's actions and the Republican budget.  Tim Burchett was elected to represent us—he should not be hiding from his constituents. Period.  Add your name to the petition to demand that Tim Burchett host a town hall or public office hours during the congressional recess! 

Revoking Khalil’s permanent status solely for political reasons sets a dangerous and disturbing precedent, leaving activists across social movements vulnerable. Right now, Trump is targeting pro-Palestinian rights activists. But tomorrow it could be those fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, climate justice, or abortion access.  Trump is testing the extent of his executive powers and his ability to intimidate and instill fear in everyday people who dare to speak out and protest. That’s why we need to speak out and stop him here and now.  Trump recently threatened federal funding of more than 60 universities and colleges, using the wave of student protests that erupted last year in defense of Palestinian rights as an excuse for yet another round of brutal cuts to public services. Columbia University, where Khalil went to school, is among the the targets, with the administration cancelling $400 million in federal funding. Trump does not care about safety or ensuring our schools are welcoming spaces. He has actively been gutting the services that would do just that. Instead, this is yet another power grab—a way to divide everyday people, silence dissenters, gut our public programs, and strip away our rights.  The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. For generations, students at campuses have protested and changed the course of history. Sign the petition to demand our leaders protect this fundamental right.