USDOJ: Civil Rights Division

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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, disability, religion, familial status and national origin.

Justice Department Settles Lawsuit Against City of Selma, Texas, for Retaliating Against Firefighter

Friday, October 5, 2012

(Press Release)

The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a settlement to resolve allegations that the city of Selma, Texas, violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Customs and Border Protection Officer Sentenced for Sexual Assault of Women at Miami International Airport

Thursday, October 4, 2012

(Press Release)

Paulo Morales, 48, of Miami, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum to 33 months in prison along with one year supervised release, the Justice Department announced.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Chicago CityLIFT Program Annoucement

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

(Speech)

Justice Department Reaches $175 Million Lending Discrimination Settlement with Wells Fargo

Click here to submit your contact information.

Justice Department Announces Agreement to Address and Prevent the Sexual Assault of Students in Allentown, Pa., Schools

Click here to read the proposed Consent Decree.

"Confronting Discrimination in the Post-9/11 Era: Challenges and Opportunities Ten Years Later"

Read the report on the Civil Rights Division's Post-9/11 Civil Rights Summit.

United States v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al.: Massachusetts Department of Correction Employment Discrimination Case

The Department of Justice reached a settlement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. concerning the Massachusetts Department of Correction's use of a physical abilities test in the hiring of entry-level Correction Officers and Correction Program Officers.

Justice Department Reaches $335 Million Lending Discrimination Settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation

The Department of Justice filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history to resolve allegations that Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of discrimination.

Department of Justice and Department of Education Release Joint Guidance on the Voluntary Use of Race

Review the Department of Justice's and Department of Education's jointly-issued guidance.

Proposals to Strengthen Laws That Protect the Rights of Servicemembers and Other Civil Rights Laws

Read the Department's proposed legislative amendments to strengthen laws that protect the rights of servicemembers and other civil rights laws. Click here for a one-page fact sheet.

Office of the United States Attorneys

Learn about U.S. Attorneys' efforts to enforce civil rights across the nation

Combating Post-9/11 Discriminatory Backlash

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez has directed the Division's National Origin Working Group to work to combat violations of civil rights laws against Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South-Asian Americans, and those perceived to be members of these groups, through the creation of the Initiative to Combat Post-9/11 Discriminatory Backlash.