The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the importance of being able to communicate effectively with individuals, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP), across our many missions and functions. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) leads the Department's efforts to provide language services.
A limited English proficient (LEP) person is someone who does not speak English as their primary language, and has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, the top five languages spoken in the United States by individuals who are LEP are: Spanish, Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog (including Filipino). However, DHS must be prepared to effectively communicate with LEP persons that speak dozens if not hundreds of other languages encountered in DHS programs and activities.
The language access plans, resources, and tools featured below enables DHS to carry out its mission while supporting its workforce and the public.
For free language services, including written translation or oral interpretation of a publicly available CRCL document, or to request documents in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, please contact us at crcl@hq.dhs.gov
The Department has published an updated plan to ensure access to homeland security programs and activities in a manner that does not deny or exclude LEP individuals. The Language Access Plan strengthens the system within DHS to implement Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (PDF, 4 pages, 321 KB) (August 11, 2000). This document replaces the plan DHS first issued in 2012.
- Attorney General's Memorandum for Heads of Federal Agencies, Heads of Civil Rights Offices, and General Counsels Regarding Strengthening the Federal Government's Commitment to Language Access (November 2023)
- Updated DHS Language Access Plan (November 2023)
- DHS Press Release on Updated Language Access Plan (November 2023)
- Readout: DHS Language Access Plan Listening Session (March 2023)
DHS Language Access Plan 2012
CRCL issued the Indigenous Languages Plan in February 2024. The plan is a vehicle to strengthen language services for Indigenous migrants whom the Department encounters and serves through its programs, activities, and operations.
In coordination with CRCL, each DHS Component developed its own individual Language Access Plan for improving delivery of language services to LEP persons. These plans incorporate feedback from a variety of stakeholders on practical and effective ways to ensure language access across DHS mission areas. DHS Components and offices have updated their plans with information on LEP demographics, including: indigenous languages, mechanisms for evaluating language access within the Component, and use of new technologies in providing language access.
- CRCL Officer Cameron Quinn's memorandum to DHS Component Heads (August 2018)
- CRCL Officer Megan Mack's message in English and other languages
(September 2014) - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- DHS Blue Campaign
- DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships
- DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
- DHS Office of the Immigration and Detention Ombudsman
- DHS Office of Public Affairs
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Federal Protective Services
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Secret Service
Non-federal recipients of financial assistance from the Department have an obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to persons with LEP, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Department’s implementing regulations. This obligation is similar to the Department’s obligation to LEP persons under Executive Order 13166. Please refer to the Guidance below for more information on recipient language access obligations.
- I Speak materials are practical tools that assist DHS employees and recipients in their interactions with LEP individuals to identify their preferred language.
- Overview of I Speak Resources for Recipients
- I Speak Language Identification Guide for Recipients
- I Speak Language Identification Guide for DHS Personnel and Others
- I Speak Booklet Printing Instructions
- I Speak Language Identification Poster
- I Speak Indigenous Language Identification Poster
- I Speak Indigenous Language Identification Insert for I Speak Language Identification Guides
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, MyCBP Indigenous Language Identification Tool
- How to Request Language Services (Sample)
- Protocol for Identifying LEP Persons and Providing Language Services (Sample)
- Language Access Responsibilities: Overview for DHS Employees
- Language Access Resource Guide for Law Enforcement
- Working with Interpreters: Job Aid for DHS Employees
- LEP.gov: Federal clearinghouse of information, tools, and technical assistance regarding LEP and language services.
- Language Resources in Support of Operation Allies Welcome
- Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” (August 11, 2000) (PDF, 4 pages, 321 KB)
- DHS Title VI Implementing Regulation, 6 C.F.R. Part 7, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Homeland Security” (PDF, 11 pages, 134 KB)
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Mail Stop #0190
Washington, D.C. 20528-0190
Phone: 202-401-1474 | 1-866-644-8360 (toll free)
TTY: 202-401-0470 | 1-866-644-8361 (toll free)
Fax: 202-401-4708
E-mail: crcl@hq.dhs.gov