Qualified Immunity and the Bivens Doctrines Explained

Americans’ civil liberties are in danger if Congress does not ensure that ordinary people can hold state and federal officials accountable for wrongdoing.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice, Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Courts, Criminal Justice Reform, Democracy, Government Reform, Supreme Court +4 More

Media Contact

Sam Hananel

Senior Director, Media Relations

[email protected]

Gaby Blanco

Senior Constituency Media Associate

[email protected]

Rafael Medina

Director, Media Relations

[email protected]

Julia Cusick

Vice President, Communications

[email protected]

Government Affairs

Peter Gordon

Senior Director, Federal Affairs

[email protected]

Alexandra Cogan

Senior Manager, State and Local Government Affairs

[email protected]

Congress must eliminate qualified immunity for state officials and create a new law giving people the right to sue federal officials for violations of their civil and constitutional rights. Americans’ civil liberties are dependent on it.

Hai-Lam Phan is the director of Video at the Center for American Progress. Jasmine Hardy is the senior video producer at the Center. Stephanie Wylie is the senior policy analyst for Legal Progress at the Center. Akua Amaning is an associate director for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center. Sarah Figgatt is a research assistant for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center. Maggie Jo Buchanan is the director of Legal Progress at the Center.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.