Civil Rights Division

About the Division

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 (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.

Civil Rights Division News

May 7, 2021

Press Release

Former Tennessee Correctional Officer Sentenced for Covering Up Staff Assault of an Inmate

May 7, 2021

Press Release

Four Former Minneapolis Police Officers Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Charges for Death of George Floyd; Derek Chauvin Also Charged in Separate Indictment for Violating Civil Rights of a Juvenile

May 6, 2021

Press Release

Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Two Community Colleges to Improve Access for Students with Disabilities

April 29, 2021

Press Release

Former Louisiana Police Officer Indicted for Assaulting an Arrestee

April 29, 2021

Press Release

Former West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights Offense

More News & Speeches

Featured Items

Justice Department Announces Investigation of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and Louisville Metro Police Department
Press Release (4/26/2021)

CRT memorandum withdrawing the January 17, 2021 memorandum, Application of Bostock v. Clayton County
Memorandum (1/22/2021)

Two Dallas Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes After Using Dating App to Target Gay Men for Violent Crimes
Press Release (12/13/2019)

Remarks by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband at Press Conference Announcing Launch of Mississippi Human Trafficking Coordination Council
Speech (9/10/2019)

Justice Department Files Amicus Brief Explaining that Harvard’s Race-Based Admissions Process Violates Federal Civil-Rights Law
Press Release (2/25/2020)

Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against the City of Chicago To Enforce USERRA Rights of U.S. Army Reservist
Press Release (12/18/2019)

Justice Department Announces Investigation into Conditions in Four Mississippi Prisons
Press Release (2/5/2020)

Justice Department Settles with Staffing Company to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination Claims
Press Release (2/18/2020)

Superseding Indictment Charges Man for Making Threats Against a Maryland Synagogue
Press Release (1/16/2020)

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against the South Dakota Department of Social Services Alleging Intentional Race Discrimination Against Native American Job Applicants at the Pine Ridge Reservation
Press Release (1/29/2020)

División de Derechos Civiles en español