The United States' civic freedom rating has been downgraded from "narrowed" to "obstructed" in a new report by Civicus, a global nonprofit that monitors civic space in 198 countries.

The downgrade reflects a reported "sharp deterioration of fundamental freedoms" following a year of executive actions, restrictive legislation and measures affecting Americans.

Why It Matters

The "obstructed" classification applies to countries where civil society organizations exist but face state interference, including surveillance, bureaucratic harassment and public criticism. Citizens can organize and assemble peacefully, but they remain vulnerable to excessive force by law enforcement, the report notes. The Trump administration's plans for mass deportations have led to several confrontations between

See Full Page