AJC has adopted a position opposing the recently proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would (1) restrict marriage to the union of a man and a woman, and (2) preclude the construction of the federal or any state constitution as requiring that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than a union of a man and a woman. The basis for this position is AJC’s belief that such an amendment would enshrine discrimination into our social fabric.

AJC has been on the frontlines in the battle for civil rights, working for equality through legislation, advocacy and media campaigns. In the late 1940s, AJC commissioned a study, "Effects of Prejudice and Discrimination on Personality Development," by Dr. Kenneth Clark, which was cited by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the historic Brown decision.

AJC has a long tradition of civil rights advocacy balanced with an unwavering commitment to national security. The events of September 11 have raised issues that require a delicate balance and vigilance to ensure that the measures necessary to strengthen law enforcement's ability to combat terrorism will also honor the constitutional protections that have made our nation a bastion of democratic values. Most recently, AJC's dual concerns for civil liberties and national security have been expressed in our support of the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act, proposed bipartisan legislation that amends provisions of the USA-PATRIOT Act of October 2001 to address civil liberties concerns. The Act places reasonable limits on the authority given to law enforcement under the USA-PATRIOT Act, without materially hindering their ability to investigate and prevent terrorism. AJC supported the passage of the USA-PATRIOT Act in 2001 as a way to strengthen U.S. anti-terrorism laws, so long as sunset provisions were included to ensure that civil liberties are sufficiently guarded. Click here for AJC's full Statement on the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act.

AJC has also taken a position on the detention of American citizens classified as "unlawful enemy combatants" and has filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in cases challenging their detention, as well as that of the Guantanamo detainees.

Related briefs:

• Guantanamo Bay
• Padilla
• Hamdi

In response to President Bush's order regarding the establishment of military tribunals for those accused of terrorism, AJC has called for the inclusion of due process protections, including:

1. the right of the accused to be informed of the charges against him and to be provided with a declassified summary of the evidence against him;

2. the right of the accused to choose legal counsel;

3. the requirement that the burden of proof necessity for conviction be specified;

4. the right of the accused to appeal the final judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and to ask for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.;

5. the requirement that any death sentence imposed by a military tribunal be unanimous;

6. the provision of a detailed definition of terrorism and the creation of a mechanism to determine preliminarily who falls within the definition.

Also subsequent to the September 11th terrorist attacks, public discussion began about the need for a national identification system in the U.S., including increased security, modernization and standardization of licenses and identification cards across state boundaries. AJC endorses the development of minimum national standards for use by each state for the issuance of state driver's licenses and identification cards, including the documentation required for a license. At the same time, AJC emphasizes the importance of protecting personal privacy in both the development and implementation of such national standards. For a more detailed description, click here for AJC's Resolution on National Standards for State Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards.In addition, in order to address the problem that millions of Mexican citizens reside in the U.S. without a secure method of identification, the Mexican government has been issuing an identification card called the Matrícula Consular that contains a photograph and includes anti-counterfeiting technology. Recognizing Mexico's unique relationship with the United States, AJC supports the use of the Matrícula Consular by Mexican nationals in the United States as a form of official identification for obtaining health care services, performing financial transactions, entering office buildings, dealing with law enforcement, and for education purposes. However, for security reasons, AJC does not support the card as a breeder document to obtain an American driver's license or other state-issued identification card. Click here for AJC's full Statement on the Acceptance of the Matrícula Consular.