Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Guidance to State and Local Governments and Other Federally Assisted Recipients Engaged in Emergency Preparedness, Response, Mitigation, and Recovery Activities on Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The United States Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Transportation (DOT) are issuing this guidance to assist recipients of federal financial assistance engaged in emergency management (e.g., state and local emergency management agencies, law enforcement, healthcare service providers, housing and transit authorities). This ensures that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency) in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI).

Reference Guide: Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services

The Reference Guide was originally developed in response to the requirement of H.R. 5441 (PL 109-295), Section 689: Individuals with Disabilities, to develop disability related guidelines for use by those who serve individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness and disaster relief. This Guide is not intended to satisfy all of the guidance requirements contained in Section 689. Additional guidelines to accommodate individuals with disabilities will be issued in the future.

Retention Memo for Onsite Investigation at Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana

CRCL opened complaints alleging abuses of the civil rights and civil liberties of individuals in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana. The allegations raised and reviewed involved medical and mental health care, conditions of confinement, suicide prevention, detainee safety, segregation, the grievance system, and environmental health and safety.

DHS Component Disability Access Plans

DHS Component Disability Access Plans

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Tropical Depression Imelda

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement on safety and enforcement during Tropical Depression Imelda:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are concerned about the flooding caused by Tropical Depression Imelda to southeast Texas. Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety. In consideration of these circumstances, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the storm, except in the event of a serious public safety threat.

Recommendations Memo Concerning Ensuring Meaningful Access for Indigenous Language Speakers

Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 345 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000ee-1, this memorandum provides policy recommendations to CBP regarding a complaint in which the complainant
alleges that CBP failed to provide him meaningful language access during the inspections process.

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Hurricane Dorian

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are concerned about the potential impact of Hurricane Dorian to portions of the East Coast.  Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety. In consideration of these circumstances, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the storm, except in the event of a serious public safety threat.

Recommendations Memo to CBP and ICE Concerning Family Separation

This memorandum discusses the outcome of the investigation conducted by CRCL into allegations that CBP and ICE violated the civil rights or civil liberties of family members who were separated after crossing the U.S. border, based on inadequate or outdated policies and procedures, and with inadequate training,
oversight, and documentation.

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Tropical Storm Barry

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Tropical Storm Barry - no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering.

Recommendations for Emergency Managers for Disaster Assistance to Survivors with Disabilities

Following DHS listening sessions in many communities heavily impacted by natural disasters in 2017 and 2018, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties makes the following recommendations to state, local, territorial, and tribal emergency managers to improve the delivery of disaster assistance to disaster survivors with disabilities.  The recommendations are grouped by major areas DHS covered in the listening sessions.