Request Legal Help
To request legal assistance, you must fill out our online intake form. We are no longer accepting walk-ins or intakes via email or phone. We will only accept intake requests by mail for individuals who are currently incarcerated or otherwise unable to fill out the online intake form.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation accepts requests for legal assistance from people who have had their civil rights or civil liberties violated by a government entity in Wisconsin. If your complaint arose in a state other than Wisconsin, you must contact the ACLU office in that state. To find the appropriate ACLU affiliate, click here.
Please read this page and the Frequently Asked Questions carefully. Our primary legal intake form is linked at the bottom of this page.
Deadlines
IMPORTANT: All legal claims have deadlines, which depend on the nature of the claim, the type of violation, and which specific rights were violated. For some types of violations, you may need to file a notice or pursue other administrative remedies with a government agency before you can file a lawsuit. To ensure that your rights are protected, you may need to consult with an attorney promptly to find out which deadlines apply in your case. If you do not comply with the applicable deadlines, you could be legally barred from pursuing your claim in court. Contacting the ACLU to describe your problem does not mean that ACLU attorneys represent you, and contacting the ACLU does not stop the clock on these deadlines. The ACLU cannot provide you with advice about which deadlines might apply to your particular situation.
ICE Complaints
Now Reviewing ICE Complaints: Due to the current political climate, we are seeing trends of ICE surges across several states. In response, our legal team is now reviewing submissions regarding unlawful conduct towards ICE observers and protestors and unlawful use of force by federal immigration agents across Wisconsin. Share your experiences below. Submissions outside of this specific issue may not be reviewed or receive a response using these links.
If you have either personally been or have witnessed another person being harassed, intimidated, or subjected to unlawful use of force by federal immigration enforcement as a bystander or in relation to activities conducted as an ICE observer or protestor, please complete one of the following forms:
1. English Form
2. Spanish Form
3. Hmong Form
For any other issues, please use our regular intake form linked at the bottom of this page.
NOTE: We are currently NOT reviewing intake requests related to individual removal defense or requests for representation in immigration courts. If you are seeking this assistance, we recommend you complete the Community Immigration Law Center's intake form (also available in Spanish).
FAQ
Important Note
Your communication with us by mail or email, or by submitting our intake form, does not create an agreement for us to provide you legal advice or representation. We cannot promise you that the information you provide will lead to any specific action on the part of the ACLU of Wisconsin. We cannot promise to contact you any further in response to your communication.
