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  About DHS
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  Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
  Compliance Branch

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      Public AffairsCRCL Compliance Branch
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. Under 6 U.S.C. § 345 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000ee-1, 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 under Executive Order 13107 and disability accommodation complaints under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Complaints can be submitted to CRCL via the online portal, mail, e-mail, fax, or telephone and may be initiated by members of the public, federal agencies, or agency personnel, non-governmental organizations, media reports and other sources.

Once a complaint is opened and the DHS Office of Inspector General has declined to investigate the allegations, Compliance staff determines whether to refer the complaint to the appropriate Component for investigation or to conduct the complaint investigation internally.

If referred, the Component reports its findings to CRCL. Upon review of those findings, CRCL works with the Component to resolve the complaint. If retained, Compliance staff conducts the investigation to determine if the factual allegations in the complaint can be verified. Whether fact investigation is conducted by CRCL or a Component, CRCL may recommend steps to be taken by the Component and/or DHS leadership to address issues of concern.

File a Civil Rights Complaint
CRCL reviews and assesses civil rights and civil liberties complaints filed by the public regarding DHS policies and activities. Complaints may be submitted in any language. The complaint form is available in English and multiple other languages.

Provide Feedback or Make Complaints to DHS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has many avenues for the public to provide feedback and make complaints involving DHS employees or programs, alleged violations of civil rights and civil liberties, immigration filing, travel redress, and other types of grievances. This webpage includes information showing where different types of complaints may go within DHS.

CRCL Complaints Investigation Memos
CRCL reviews and investigates civil rights and civil liberties complaints and alleged abuses filed by the public regarding DHS policies and activities. Redacted memos related to CRCL investigations can be found in these online libraries:

CRCL Onsite Investigations Memos
	CRCL Recommendation and Investigation MemosYou may file your complaint to CRCL in a number of ways:

CRCL Online Complaint Portal
	E-mail: CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov
	Fax: 202-401-4708
	Package/Overnight Delivery: Please contact CRCL for information on sending a package.
	U.S. Postal Mail: (this method can take up to 20 business days)
	U.S. Department of Homeland Security
		Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
		Compliance Branch, Mail Stop # 0190
		2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
		Washington, DC 20528-0190If you have questions, you may also contact CRCL by telephone:

Local: 202-401-1474
	Toll Free: 1-866-644-8360
      
      Contact Us
      By Mail or Phone

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Compliance Branch, Mail Stop # 0190
2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20528-0190

Phone: 202-401-1474
Toll Free: 1-866-644-8360
TTY: 202-401-0470
Toll Free TTY: 1-866-644-8361
Fax: 202-401-4708

By Email

CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov
  
    
    KeywordsCivil Rights
              Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
              Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
              Privacy

    Last Updated: 03/21/2024
  
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