Defending DC Autonomy. Protecting Democracy.
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works alongside community partners to defend DC autonomy, protect constitutional rights, and strengthen civic organizations critical to democracy. From DC to Baltimore to rural Shenandoah, WLC uses strategic litigation to build a multiracial, inclusive democracy that centers impacted people and their ability to defend and shape their communities.
Protecting Immigrant Congregations and Defending Religious Freedom Nationwide
Faith communities and houses of worship play a vital role in strengthening democracy and protecting communities. They serve as polling sites, provide spaces for voting and civic education, protect religious freedom, and support vulnerable and marginalized communities.
In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security ended its longstanding policy restricting immigration arrests at houses of worship. Congregations across the country subsequently reported immigration arrests in church parking lots, outside church preschools, and near other places of worship. Pastors also reported declining attendance at worship services and food pantries as community members stayed away from their houses of worship to avoid encountering immigration agents.
Together with Democracy Forward and Gilbert LLP, WLC went to court on behalf of a national coalition of congregations from Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Texas, California, Delaware, and Virginia. In February 2026, WLC secured a preliminary injunction temporarily halting immigration arrests at 5,500 churches. WLC will continue fighting to extend these protections to all 7,000 congregations represented in the case.
Protecting Immigrant Communities and Halting Warrantless Arrests in DC
Following the President’s takeover of DC in August 2025, WLC responded to calls for help from immigrant communities facing immigration sweeps, impromptu traffic checkpoints, and arrests throughout the District.
In September 2025, WLC, along with ACLU DC, ACLU, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, National Immigration Project, and Covington & Burling LLP, went to court on behalf of We Are CASA and impacted individuals to challenge warrantless immigration arrests in DC.
In December 2025, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction halting the Department of Homeland Security’s policy of conducting warrantless immigration arrests without probable cause in DC. Following the court’s order, immigration arrests in DC declined from 1,400 between August and November 2025 to 100 between December 2025 and March 10, 2026. Warrantless immigration arrests fell to zero in 2026 following WLC’s motion to enforce the court’s order.
Defending DC Autonomy and Democratic Accountability
In August 2025, the President and multiple governors deployed National Guard troops to DC as part of an anti-crime task force. The deployment brought National Guard troops into Metro stations, the National Mall, monuments, and parks throughout the District.
In September 2025, the DC Office of the Attorney General went to court to challenge the National Guard deployment. The district court ruled that using the Guard for policing in DC is unlawful, and the Trump administration appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
WLC, alongside a coalition of DC civil rights and legal services organizations, filed an amicus brief supporting DC’s lawsuit. The brief argues that deploying state militia forces for local law enforcement undermines democratic accountability and exceeds presidential authority.
WLC will continue fighting for DC communities and for their right to accountability from those who patrol and police our city.
Recognizing Our Work Defending DC Communities
In May 2026, WLC was presented with the Justice Potter Stewart Award by the Council for Court Excellence in recognition of its work defending DC autonomy and communities and halting warrantless immigration arrests in DC.
Defending Democracy Together
WLC works alongside communities to protect the institutions, rights, and democratic participation that allow people to defend and shape their own communities.