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Civil Rights Division

About the Division

División de Derechos Civiles en español

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 persons in the United States, 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.

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Meet the Assistant Attorney General

Leadership
Kristen Clarke
Assistant Attorney General

Contact
Civil Rights Division
Tel: (202) 514-3847
TTY/TDD: 711

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke
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División de Derechos Civiles en español
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Protecting the Rights of Service Members
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Our Work

Civil Rights Division News
Press Release
Justice Department Sues Mississippi State Senate for Race Discrimination
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against the Mississippi State Senate for discriminating against a Black former staff attorney in its Legislative Services Office (LSO). The lawsuit...
Press Release
Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violation Related to Vehicular Crash Involving a Motorcyclist
A former U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Officer was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, related to a vehicular crash involving...
Press Release
Justice Department to Monitor Voting Compliance in Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket
PROVIDENCE, RI – United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket...
Press Release
Former Maryland Police Officer Convicted of Obstruction of Justice Related to Sex with Teen in Custody
A federal judge this week convicted a former Fairmount Heights, Maryland, police officer on one count of obstructing justice by writing a false police report.
Press Release
Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with Colorado to Ensure Opportunities for People with Physical Disabilities to Live at Home
The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement to resolve its lawsuit alleging that Colorado violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)...
Press Release
Justice Department to Monitor Polls in 27 States for Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws
The Justice Department announced today that it plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for the Nov. 5 general election.

Featured Items

How the Civil Rights Division Protects Against Religious and National Origin Discrimination
Combating Religious Discrimination
Combating National Origin Discrimination

Know Your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
View the flyer and other languages on the Publications page

Questions and Answers regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina
Read the Questions and Answers

How the Civil Rights Division Combats Sexual Misconduct
Know Your Rights Flyer (English) (Spanish version)

Justice Department Issues Joint Statement on Enforcement Efforts Against Discrimination and Bias in Automated Systems
Statement (4/25/2023)

Justice Department Publishes Guide to Federal Voting Rights
Know Your Voting Rights