Your Rights and Freedoms
Your rights and freedoms are the protections that government owes the people it serves, and the limits on what government may do. They come from the Constitution, federal and state laws, and court decisions. Congress, state legislatures, agencies, and courts shape and enforce them, and they reach speech, fairness, privacy, work, school, health, and family life.
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All Articles on Your Rights and Freedoms
Foreign Students Face Visa Risk for Joining Campus Protests
Thousands of students have been arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses. For American citizens, an arrest at a demonstration might mean a…
How the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket Works
The Supreme Court's shadow docket handles emergency orders. Its rules, legal tests and major cases explain what those decisions change and leave unresolved.
Can the FCC Force a TV Host Off the Air? The Kimmel Case, Explained
In September 2025, a media firestorm erupted when Disney-owned ABC abruptly suspended its flagship late-night program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, announcing at the time that…
When the FCC Can Revoke Your Broadcast License
The radio frequencies that carry our favorite songs, the television signals that bring news into our homes, and the wireless spectrum that connects our…
Can the Government Restrict Immigrant Free Speech Rights?
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution opens with sweeping language: "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech." It makes no…
Gun Policy Analysis in the Wake of the Charlie Kirk Shooting
The murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, has reignited national debate about gun violence prevention. Kirk, the 31-year-old…
When You Can Sue the Government
Hit a pothole that damages your car or slip on an icy sidewalk in front of a public library? Your natural instinct is to…
A History of Unemployment Benefits in the United States
Unemployment Insurance is a key part of America's social safety net. This federal-state partnership provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who lose their…
What Are Unemployment Benefits?
Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The system operates through a…
How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
Losing a job creates both financial and emotional challenges. The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides a critical safety net during this difficult time. These…