CRCL 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 Memos 

You may file your complaint to CRCL in a number of ways:

• CRCL Online Complaint Portal
• E-mail: CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov 
• 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 20528-0190

If you have questions, you may also contact CRCL by telephone:

• Toll Free: 1-866-644-8360