USDOJ: Civil Rights Division

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The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin.

Protecting the Right to Vote and Prosecuting Ballot Fraud

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

(Press Release)

In anticipation of the upcoming election, the Justice Department today provided information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation or fraud in the election process.

Justice Department Reaches Settlement Agreement with City of North Adams, Mass., to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

(Press Release)

The Justice Department today announced an agreement with the city of North Adams, Mass., to improve access for people with disabilities to civic life in North Adams.

Two Police of Puerto Rico Officers Indicted on Federal Civil Rights and Perjury Charges

Monday, October 15, 2012

(Press Release)

Police of Puerto Rico Lieutenant Erick Rivera Nazario and Officer Jimmy Rodriguez Vega were indicted on civil rights charges alleging that they used excessive force on two men, the Justice Department announced today.

Justice Department Reaches $175 Million Lending Discrimination Settlement with Wells Fargo

Click here to submit your contact information.

Justice Department Announces Agreement to Address and Prevent the Sexual Assault of Students in Allentown, Pa., Schools

Click here to read the proposed Consent Decree.

"Confronting Discrimination in the Post-9/11 Era: Challenges and Opportunities Ten Years Later"

Read the report on the Civil Rights Division's Post-9/11 Civil Rights Summit.

United States v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al.: Massachusetts Department of Correction Employment Discrimination Case

The Department of Justice reached a settlement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. concerning the Massachusetts Department of Correction's use of a physical abilities test in the hiring of entry-level Correction Officers and Correction Program Officers.

Justice Department Reaches $335 Million Lending Discrimination Settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation

The Department of Justice filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history to resolve allegations that Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of discrimination.

Department of Justice and Department of Education Release Joint Guidance on the Voluntary Use of Race

Review the Department of Justice's and Department of Education's jointly-issued guidance.

Proposals to Strengthen Laws That Protect the Rights of Servicemembers and Other Civil Rights Laws

Read the Department's proposed legislative amendments to strengthen laws that protect the rights of servicemembers and other civil rights laws. Click here for a one-page fact sheet.

Office of the United States Attorneys

Learn about U.S. Attorneys' efforts to enforce civil rights across the nation

Combating Post-9/11 Discriminatory Backlash

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez has directed the Division's National Origin Working Group to work to combat violations of civil rights laws against Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South-Asian Americans, and those perceived to be members of these groups, through the creation of the Initiative to Combat Post-9/11 Discriminatory Backlash.