Democracy & Rule of Law
Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis on threats and challenges to democracy and the rule of law in the United States and globally. Coverage includes analysis of the separation of powers, good governance, democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, judicial independence, freedom of the press and association, and accountability for rule of law violations.
3,471 Articles
Alien-ating Asians in 21st-Century Land Laws
“Alien land laws” frame Asian land ownership as a national security threat despite minimal evidence, echoing the United States’ historical exclusionary policies.
Congress Should Stop DHS’s Lawless Misuse of Mandatory Immigration Detention
The Fifth Circuit upheld an illegal ICE mass detention policy, deepening a legal and humanitarian crisis that Congress can and must fix.
The Taken
Inside the ICE Detention Pipeline for US Citizens and Residents: From Minnesota to Texas
DHS Budget Talks in Congress May Touch “Sanctuary Cities,” With a Long History
Congress has little authority to rewrite local limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement -- and shouldn’t try to do so.
The Just Security Podcast: What Does it Really Mean to be a U.S. Territory?
Neil Weare and Adi Martínez-Román join Tess Bridgeman to explore democracy, equity, and self-determination in U.S. territories and beyond.
U.S. Withdrawal from International Cyber Organizations Weakens Global Cooperation Against Cyber Threats
The U.S. withdrawal from international cyber organizations will hamper intelligence sharing, coordinated response, and joint capabilities.
Expert Survey on DHS, CBP, and ICE Reforms
Experts detail targeted reforms and legislative pathways Congress could enact to improve ICE and CBP accountability.
Guatemala’s New State of Emergency Isn’t Just About Gangs
President Arévalo's state of emergency provides him a short window to use the gang crackdown to also crack open the country's structures of impunity.
Minnesota ICE Enforcement: Tracking Alleged Constitutional Violations in Court
Sworn declarations in ACLU’s Minnesota lawsuit describe masked ICE agents using violent, warrantless arrests targeting Somali and Latino US citizens, legal residents.
CBP Was a Leader in Transparency. Can It Still Restore that Reputation?
CBP’s handling of the investigation into Alex Pretti's death signals a troubling shift away from the agency’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Fact Checking the “Success” of Trump Border Patrol Policies
U.S. border policy does not define migration. A new study shows that restrictions on border crossings under both Biden and Trump had little immediate effect.
DHS Warrantless Home Entry Memo’s Fourth Amendment Problem
An internal ICE memo authorizes agents to enter homes for immigration arrests without judicial approval, breaking with DHS policy and raising Fourth Amendment concerns.