In recent days, I’ve seen up close the grim reality that the Constitution does not defend itself. Our constitutional rights have to be protected and fought for every day. And in this time of escalating assaults on communities across the country, what I find most troubling is how opponents of civil rights are coming after our children.
I saw it on March 31, as Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights deputy legal director Kaitlin Banner delivered closing arguments in our landmark racial justice trial in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Our plaintiffs there include Black children who have bravely stood up to oppose the renaming of their public schools after Confederate generals.
The next day, April 1, I attended the Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship. There, I watched the Solicitor General of the United States urge the justices to gut a constitutional guarantee enshrined in the 14th Amendment since 1868: that infants born on U.S. soil are U.S. citizens and entitled to equal protection under the law. WLC has filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case, in addition to our own suit against the Trump administration on behalf of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.
The fact that we have to pull out all the stops to defend the basic civil rights of children speaks to the times that we live in. The Constitution does not defend itself. This fight will require people of all ages and generations.
I am grateful to be in partnership with all of you as we defend our children—and their future.
Together For Justice,
Joanne Lin
Executive Director
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
Immigration Arrests in D.C. Plummet Following Preliminary Injunction in Our Case
In December 2025, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights won a major victory in our case challenging ICE’s policy of warrantless immigration arrests, without probable cause, in Washington, D.C.
The court ordered ICE to halt warrantless arrests in D.C.
We won—and it worked.
This week, the Washington Post reported a dramatic drop in ICE arrests in D.C. since the court’s preliminary injunction in December.
We remain resolved to do all that we can to protect our immigrant neighbors, to defend D.C. autonomy, and to uphold the rule of law. Some highlights from the article:
Immigration arrests in D.C., Maryland and Virginia have reached nearly 20,000 in President Trump’s second term.
Nearly 60 percent of those arrested had no prior criminal record.
From August to November 2025, ICE arrested more than 1400 people in D.C.
But from December 2025 to March 10, 2026, ICE made just over 100 arrests.
Meanwhile, in Maryland and Virginia, the rate of immigration arrests is unchanged.
This preliminary injunction was the direct outcome of our lawsuit, brought on behalf of We Are CASA and several individuals, alongside co-counsel ACLU DC, ACLU, AMICA, National Immigration Project, and Covington & Burling.
We remain resolved to do all that we can to protect our immigrant neighbors, to defend D.C. autonomy, and to uphold the rule of law.
Closing Arguments in Our Suit Challenging Confederate-Named Public Schools
On March 31, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights deputy legal director Kaitlin Banner presented closing arguments in our landmark racial justice case against the Shenandoah County (VA) school board.
WLC joined forces with the Virginia NAACP and Covington & Burling to sue on behalf of five Shenandoah County students after the board’s 2024 decision to rename two public schools after Confederate generals.
In September 2025, we won our constitutional First Amendment claim: The judge ruled that forcing high school students to wear, carry, or compete under Confederate school names violates their First Amendment rights of free expression.
No child should be required to attend a public school that glorifies the legacy of slavery and racial oppression. No student athlete should be forced to wear a jersey sporting the name of a Confederate general.
In December 2025, the court held a bench trial on the claims under the Equal Protection Clause, Title VI, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act. We expect a ruling by July 2026.
Agreement with D.C. Housing Provider Ensures Fair Tenant Screening
On March 12, the Equal Rights Center announced a cooperation agreement with JAG Management Company to ensure a fair tenant screening process at JAG properties, resolving allegations of illegal discrimination at four D.C. properties.
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll represented ERC in this matter.
The four-year agreement applies to all JAG multifamily rental properties in D.C., requiring revised tenant screening policies, fair housing training, compliance testing, and a “voucher liaison,” and includes a $220,000 payment, marking a meaningful step toward more equitable housing practices.
ERC’s lawsuit alleged unlawful requirements, including minimum-income requirements for voucher holders and overly broad eviction and criminal record screenings, in violation of D.C. law.
Peter Keisler to Co-Present Wiley A. Branton Award to Former DOJ Civil Rights Division Career Public Servants
Peter Keisler, who served as Acting Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division during the George W. Bush Administration, will be co-presenting the 2026 Wiley A. Branton Award to former career public servants of the U.S. Justice Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
After his government service, Keisler rejoined Sidley Austin LLP and co-chaired the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate Practice. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the Washington Litigation Group, the Council and Executive Committee of the American Law Institute, and the Board of Directors of the Brennan Center for Justice and of the Society for the Rule of Law.
WLC invites you to join us on May 27 to honor these public servants for their outstanding service to civil rights and racial justice.
Outstanding Pro Bono Achievement: Gilbert LLP
In 2025, the Gilbert team challenged the Department of Homeland Security’s practice of conducting immigration arrests and surveillance at houses of worship. The lawsuit, filed with WLC and Democracy Forward, documented arrests in church parking lots, during preschool pickup, and even during worship services.
In February 2026, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction halting immigration arrests at approximately 5,500 churches nationwide, including congregations in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Texas, California, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Registration and Sponsorships are Open for the 2026 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon
Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for this inspiring annual celebration of leadership and service in civil rights. Sponsorships are offered at multiple levels and include recognition across event materials, as well as reserved seating and table options.
Full details on ticketing and sponsorship opportunities are available here.
On February 25, Stuart Land passed away at the age of 95.
Throughout his 45-year career, Stuart was at the forefront of Arnold & Porter’s exceptional pro bono program, serving two terms as chair of the pro bono committee as well as one term as chair of the firm.
Stuart was an early leader of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, serving on the Executive Committee as of 1973 and then as Board Co-Chair between 1976-78. One of his proudest achievements was his involvement in a landmark case that validated the use of “testers” to determine whether equally qualified Black and white job applicants were treated differently. He also expanded WLC’s work in the areas of immigrants’ rights and education justice, both of which are now core components of our strategic litigation. In addition to his distinguished service with WLC, Stuart was active with the national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, serving as board co-chair between 1987-89.
In 2004, Stuart was presented with the Wiley A. Branton award—the most prestigious honor bestowed by WLC—for outstanding leadership and service in civil rights. Stuart's obituary can be read here.
Mrs. Martha Land, Stuart’s wife of more than 40 years, has generously designated WLC to receive gifts in Stuart’s memory: washlaw.org
Coming Down the Pike
So Many Ways to Stand With Us!
Your support powers the Washington Lawyers’ Committee’s work across the region — from living rooms to courtrooms.
April 18: House Party – Bethesda, MD
May 14: Lew Wiener disability rights reception – Washington, D.C. May 21: WLC to Receive Justice Potter Stewart Award at CCE Gala May 27: 2026Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon, Westin DC (999 Ninth St., NW)
Board Co-Chairs Brian Schneider (ArentFox Schiff) Avis Buchanan (retired)
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic, and social equity for low-income marginalized communities in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and across the country. We partner with individuals and communities facing discrimination and with the legal community to achieve justice. We bring strategic litigation to advance fair housing, disability rights, education equity, workers’ rights, immigrant justice, women’s rights, and criminal legal system reform.
