Human rights in the United States

In the United States, human rights consists of a series of rights which are legally protected by the Constitution of the United States (particularly by the Bill of Rights), state constitutions, treaty and customary international law, legislation enacted by Congress and state legislatures, and state referendums and citizen's initiatives. The Federal Government has, through a ratified constitution, guaranteed unalienable rights to its citizens and (to some degree) non-citizens. These rights have evolved over time through constitutional amendments, legislation, and judicial precedent. Along with the rights themselves, the portion of the population which has been granted these rights has been expanded over time. Within the United States, federal courts have jurisdiction over international human rights laws.

The United States has been ranked on human rights by various organizations. For example, the Freedom in the World index lists the United States 59th out of 210 countries and territories for civil and political rights, with 83 out of 100 points as of 2023; the Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, put the U.S. 55th out of 180 countries in 2024, the Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, classifies the United States as a "flawed democracy". Numerous human rights issues exist in the country.

Despite the United States progressive views, ongoing societal challenges exist, including discrimination and violence against LGBTI people, anti-LGBTI legislation, and limitations on abortion access. Issues surrounding Indigenous women faced gender-based violence, asylum seekers, poverty, workers rights, foreign policy, and arbitrary detention at Guantánamo Bay were ongoing. Gun violence remained a major problem, and there were restrictions on the right to protest in multiple states. Excessive use of force by police disproportionately affected Black individuals.