The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) reviews and investigates civil rights and civil liberties complaints filed by the public regarding U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and activities.
What Are Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Abuses?
CRCL reviews and assesses allegations involving a range of alleged civil rights and civil liberties abuses, such as:
- Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability;
- Violation of rights while in immigration detention or as a subject of immigration enforcement;
- Discrimination or inappropriate questioning related to entry into the United States;
- Violation of due process rights, such as the right to timely notice of charges or access to lawyer;
- Violation of confidentiality provisions of the Violence Against Women Act;
- Physical abuse or any other type of abuse;
- Denial of meaningful access to DHS or DHS-supported programs, activities, or services due to limited English proficiency; and
- Any other civil rights, civil liberties, or human rights violation related to a Department program or activity, including allegations of discrimination by an organization or program that receives financial assistance from DHS.
CRCL also reviews and investigates human rights complaints and disability accommodation complaints under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
How to File a Civil Rights Compliant
There are three ways that you can file a civil rights complaint with CRCL:
You can use the online portal to submit your complaint directly to CRCL. You will receive a confirmation number and your complaint report will be immediately available for CRCL staff to review.
If you do not want to file your complaint directly using CRCL's online portal, you can download and complete the fillable Adobe PDF complaint form and then email, fax, or mail your completed form to CRCL.
If you do not want to submit a complaint to CRCL using the optional online portal or PDF fillable form, you can provide CRCL a detailed description of your complaint via email, fax, or postal mail.
Additional Information
Learn more about the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and how DHS integrates civil rights and civil liberties protections into all department activities.