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Civil Rights

Civil Rights Enforcement

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, is charged with enforcing federal civil rights laws throughout the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office enforces federal civil rights statutes such as the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, laws that protect access to education for English Language learners, voting rights laws, laws that protect military service members’ rights, religious freedom laws, and laws that prohibit patterns and practices of police misconduct, among others.

The U.S. Attorney's Office also complies with all Presidential Executive Orders, including but not limited to Executive Order 13988, Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. 

Recent examples of the civil rights enforcement work of this Office include:

Americans with Disabilities Act Investigations

Health Care Facilities

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/eastern-district-pennsylvania-reaches-settlement-agreement-thomas-jefferson-university

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/us-reaches-agreement-healthcare-provider-communication-deaf-individuals

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/united-states-resolves-dispute-doylestown-nursing-home-over-access-sign-language

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/settlement-reached-montgomery-county-hospital-over-alleged-violations-americans

Polling Places

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/us-attorney-s-office-launches-review-district-polling-places-compliance-americans

https://www.ada.gov/philadelphia/philadelphiasa.htm

Schools

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/pennsylvania-department-education-agrees-resolve-federal-civil-rights-investigation

Restaurants

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/resolution-ada-compliance-reviews-twelve-philadelphia-restaurants

Recreational Facilities

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/americans-disabilities-act-settlement-removes-architectural-barriers-reading-ymca

Transportation Companies

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/kutztown-bus-company-agrees-use-wheelchair-accessible-buses-and-pay-penalty

Fair Housing Act Enforcement and Outreach
 
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/united-states-attorney-william-m-mcswain-announces-increased-efforts-combat-sexual
 
The Office welcomes information from the public regarding possible violations of our nation's civil rights laws. To inform the Office of a civil rights issue or complaint, please complete this form and email it to: USAPAE.CivilRights@usdoj.gov.

Updated February 7, 2023