Civil Rights Section

Section Overview

The Civil Rights Section of the Civil Division focuses on enforcing federal civil rights laws throughout the Central District of California. These laws prohibit discrimination, protect the constitutional rights of residents of this District, and ensure equal opportunity for all. The laws the Section enforces include: the Americans with Disabilities Act, statutes protecting the rights of service members and veterans, statutes protecting the right to fair housing and fair lending, and other federal anti-discrimination statutes enforced by the Department of Justice.

Recent Matters

December 14, 2022
Press Release
Justice Department Secures Landmark Agreement with Hesperia and Sheriff’s Department to End ‘Crime-Free’ Rental Housing Program

September 28, 2022
Press Release
Westlake Financial to Pay More Than $225,000 to Resolve Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Claims

September 29, 2021
Press Release
American Honda Finance Corp. Agrees to Pay over $1.5 Million to Compensate Servicemembers Whose Federal Rights Were Violated

September 21, 2021
Press Release
Monrovia Agrees to Ensure Equal Access for Persons with Disabilities to Its Transportation Services Program

August 31, 2021
Press Release
U.S. Justice Department Finds that Conditions at the San Luis Obispo County Jail Violate the Constitution

SECTION CONTACT INFORMATION

En Español

Please note that the Central District of California covers seven counties in Southern California and the Central Coast: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. To identify the contact information for a U.S. Attorney’s Office outside our district, please click here. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to correspondence that does not pertain to our district.

Individuals wishing to contact the Civil Rights Section, Civil Division are strongly encouraged to do so by email or U.S. Mail. Please report any criminal complaints to the applicable local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. The Civil Rights Section, Civil Division does not have jurisdiction over criminal matters.

The United States Attorney's Office
Central District of California
Civil Division
Attn: Civil Rights Section
300 N. Los Angeles St., Suite 7516
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 894-2879 (Phone)
(213) 894-7819 (Fax)

Report a Civil Rights Violation to the Civil Division, Civil Rights Section

Contact the Civil Rights Section by sending an e-mail to USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov

Download the Civil Rights Complaint Form.

Civil Enforcement

The Division enforces civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, familial status, and religion, among other protected categories. We protect the constitutional rights of residents and affirm equal opportunity in areas including housing, lending, employment (in state and local governments), education, public accommodations, land use, and voting, as well as the rights of individuals with disabilities and English language learners.

With limited exceptions, the U.S. Attorney's Office represents the United States of America, not any specific individual.

Civil Statutes We Enforce

The Division enforces more than 20 statutes prohibiting discrimination, including:

Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
We enforce the rights of individuals with disabilities: in employment (title I), to access state and local governmental services (title II) and public accommodations such as restaurants, gyms, and sports arenas (title III).

Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.
We investigate and bring suit against landlords, realtors, and others who discriminate against individuals and families based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), familial status, or national origin.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.
Under Title VII, we investigate and litigate cases against state and local government employers which discriminate against employees based upon race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.
Under CRIPA, we investigate and commence civil actions against state and local governments which engage in patterns or practices of depriving persons of their constitutional and statutory rights in institutional settings such as jails, prisons, long-term care facilities, and psychiatric hospitals.

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Law Enforcement Misconduct Statute), 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (formerly 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
The Attorney General is authorized by this statute to investigate and bring civil actions against law enforcement agencies which engage in a pattern or practice of depriving persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 10301 et seq.
Under the Voting Rights Act, we monitor polling places and investigate and litigate civil actions to protect the right of all citizens to vote, including the right to register to vote and cast meaningful votes, as protected and guaranteed by the Constitution.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.
The SCRA provides certain benefits and protections to servicemembers and their dependents during the servicemembers’ military service. We investigate and bring lawsuits against lenders, landlords, and others to protect these rights.

Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLIUPA), 42 U.S.C.§ 2000cc.
RLUIPA prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion and protects the right to worship without substantial burdens in zoning decisions, as well as in prisons and jails. We will investigate and bring civil actions where religious groups, especially religious minority groups, are subjected to discrimination and unreasonably burdensome treatment.

National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973gg et seq.
We bring civil actions to enforce the NVRA, also known as the “motor voter law,” “to enhance voting opportunities for every American.” The Act has made it easier for all Americans to register to vote and to maintain their registration.

Unformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 38 U.S.C. §§ 4301 et seq.
We bring lawsuits against private, state, and local government employers for violations of USERRA in cooperation with the Department of Labor (DOL). USERRA entitles servicemembers to return to their civilian employment upon completion of their military service with the seniority, status, and rate of pay that they would have obtained had they remained continuously employed by their civilian employer. USERRA also prohibits discrimination based on present, past, and future military service.

Other civil statutes we enforce include:

Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 5 U.S.C. § 1691, et seq. (prohibiting creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, because an applicant receives income from a public assistance program, or because an applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act).

Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248 (prohibiting the use or threat of force and physical obstruction that injures, intimidates, or interferes with a person seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services).

Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000c-6 (prohibiting discrimination, including segregation, in public schools and institutions of higher learning).

Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), 20 U.S.C. § 1703 (among other things, requiring state education agencies and school districts to take action to overcome language barriers that impede English Language Learner students from participating equally in state and district educational programs).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d (prohibiting discrimination in programs receiving federal assistance).

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. (prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in any federal funded education program or activity).

Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a (prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations).