law

Protesters wa;l through the streets of a city carrying Russian flags and large signs written in Russian.

Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world

New research shows how recent laws have slowly eroded the role of nongovernmental agencies all over the world . Experts have said that these actions threaten democracy in countries where institutions have already become weak. See where and how laws like these have had their biggest impact.

Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world
View of white building with columns from behind blue, still water fountain

The Supreme Court is considering whether immigrants detained for more than six months should have a chance at bail

The Supreme Court is considering whether immigrants detained for more than six months should have a chance at bail
books in a library

Florida allows any resident to challenge textbooks — and it has some science supporters concerned

Florida allows any resident to challenge textbooks — and it has some science supporters concerned
Women at protest

Coming to America: A mistake? Many parents of DACA recipients are wondering.

Coming to America: A mistake? Many parents of DACA recipients are wondering.
Keyboard

A new law rolls back certain internet privacy measures. How can you shield your browsing data?

A new law rolls back certain internet privacy measures. How can you shield your browsing data?
Two men working on a truck

What is often called 'illegal immigration' isn’t really treated as illegal

Within the immigration system, there's often no bright line difference between immigrants who came legally and those who broke immigration laws.

What is often called 'illegal immigration' isn’t really treated as illegal
Candidates for citizenship in the United States

The US has come a long way since its first, highly restrictive naturalization law

If left unchanged, the country’s first law regulating the naturalization of foreign-born Americans would have made it illegal for nearly all of today’s immigrants to become American citizens. Here’s how that changed.

The US has come a long way since its first, highly restrictive naturalization law
One man and three women hold signs that say "DAPA now!" and "DAPA Ahora!" before a wall covered with a mural, barely visible.

While the Supreme Court considers deportation policy, the roots of deportation itself come from a much earlier case

In 1893, three men went to the Supreme Court and challenged the authority of the US to deport immigrants. The case’s decision laid the groundwork for the federal government’s long history of deportation.

While the Supreme Court considers deportation policy, the roots of deportation itself come from a much earlier case
Apple CEO Tim Cook

Apple's scuffle with the FBI could affect privacy and freedom of speech worldwide

A US judge wants Apple to help the FBI hack one of its phones. But so far, Apple wants nothing to do with that.

Apple's scuffle with the FBI could affect privacy and freedom of speech worldwide
scalia

Despite a full life, Justice Scalia died prematurely — by at least one measure

When it comes to civil liberties, Justice Antonin Scalia leaves a void that won't soon be filled, says attorney Harvey Silverglate.

Despite a full life, Justice Scalia died prematurely — by at least one measure

Aha Moment: Perry Mason vs. "The Paper Chase"

Jonathan Amsbary grew up on the idealized, "Perry Mason" version of what a lawyer could be. But "The Paper Chase" showed him what kind of person he didn't want to be. 

Aha Moment: Perry Mason vs. "The Paper Chase"
Man on bicycle

Survey finds bicyclists and motorists ignore traffic laws at similar rates

Whether it’s driving five miles over the speed limit or breezing past a stop sign on your bike, chances are, we have all broken a few — or more — rules of the road. When it comes to obeying traffic laws, “we’re all criminals,” says the author of this survey.

Survey finds bicyclists and motorists ignore traffic laws at similar rates
A protester in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, with the number 43 painted on her back, takes part in a demonstration in support of 43 missing students on the six-month anniversary of their disappearance on March 26, 2015.

In Mexico, 'anyone can get away with murder'

It’s been six months since 43 Mexican students vanished from the city of Iguala in Guerrero, Mexico. But some parents and families of the students say there are unanswered questions about what happened that fateful night, and that their ordeal is not over.

In Mexico, 'anyone can get away with murder'
planeA Lufthansa aircraft flies past the headquarters of Germanwings during take-off from Cologne-Bonn airport.

In Germany, the public doesn't always have a need — or a right — to know

In the wake of the Germanwings crash last week, information about the medical history of pilot Andreas Lubitz has been scarce. But many Germans are still happy with their country's strict privacy laws, and don't think such disasters should change anything.

In Germany, the public doesn't always have a need — or a right — to know
Voters cast their ballots in US midterm elections in Ferguson, Missouri, on November 4, 2014.

Think our voting system is colorblind? Think again

Minority voters once faced poll taxes, tests and other blatant methods of keeping them away from the polls. But while those methods are gone, political science says voter discrimination is now simply more subtle — and possibly more widespread.

Think our voting system is colorblind? Think again