Civil Rights

The U.S. Attorney’s Office represents the interests of the United States in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, vigorously enforcing civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender preference, and religion, among other protected categories. We protect the constitutional rights of residents and affirm equal opportunity in areas including the rights of individuals with disabilities, housing, employment (in state and local governments), education, and voting. We are also responsible for investigating and criminally prosecuting traditional civil rights violations and hate crimes, among other defenses. For more information about this work, see the

Criminal Enforcement

The Civil Rights Section within the Office’s Criminal Division is responsible for investigating and criminally prosecuting traditional civil rights violations and federal hate crimes, among other offenses. With respect to traditional civil rights violations, the Section prosecutes law enforcement officers and other individuals who operate under the color of law and who willfully deprive individuals of their constitutional rights, including those protected by the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments of the Constitution. With respect to hate crimes, the Section prosecutes individuals who commit federal hate crimes on account of someone’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. In addition, the Section prosecutes individuals who commit violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by injuring or otherwise interfering with those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health care services. The Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices are responsible for enforcement of statutes prohibiting the following conduct:

Federal Hate Crimes. Two statutes, 18 U.S.C. § 245 and 18 U.S.C. § 249 (the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act), make it a federal crime to injure or threaten to injure through the use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon individuals on account of their race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. When the crime is on account of an individual’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability, the crime must also affect interstate or foreign commerce as described in the law.

Willful Deprivation of Constitutional Rights. 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 242 criminalize individuals who operate under the color of law, including police officers and correctional guards, who willfully deprive individuals of their constitutional rights. A law enforcement officer can deprive an individual of their constitutional rights by using excessive force or committing a sexual assault, among numerous other means.

Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248, makes it a crime to injure or otherwise interfere with an individual seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health care services.

Rights to Fair Housing. Another statute, 42 U.S.C. § 3631, makes it a federal crime to injure, intimidate or otherwise interfere with an individual because he or she rents, buys or sells an apartment or house and because of the individual’s race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin or familial status.

Civil Enforcement

The Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices are responsible for enforcement of more than 20 statutes prohibiting discrimination. These include:

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, familial status or national origin.
Equal Employment Opportunity Act (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), 42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.
Under Title VII, the Department of Justice is responsible for litigating 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.
CRIPA authorizes the Attorney General to 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 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.
The Department of Justice is charged with protecting 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.
National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973gg et seq.
The Department of Justice has authority to bring civil actions in federal court 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.
Uniformed 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 upon receipt of a referral from 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.

Community Outreach – United Against Hate

The U.S. Attorney’s Office participates in a nationwide initiative to combat unlawful acts of hate. The United Against Hate program is convening local forums that connect community groups to federal, state, and local law enforcement to increase community understanding and reporting of hate crimes; build trust between law enforcement and communities; and create and strengthen alliances between law enforcement and other government partners and community groups to combat unlawful acts of hate. If you are interested in coordinating a forum in your community, please contact Community Outreach Coordinator Kenneth Gales at 414-297-1923.

Reporting Civil Rights Violation

If you believe that you have been discriminated against, or that your civil rights have been violated, you may:

Contact the F.B.I. Milwaukee

Call: (414) 276-4684

Tips: tips.fbi.gov

Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office

Submit a written complaint:

Eastern District of Wisconsin

Attn: AUSA Christopher Ladwig

517 E. Wisconsin Avenue

Room 530

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Send an email:

Christopher.Ladwig@usdoj.gov

Other Resources

In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office civil rights enforcement program, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and a variety of other federal agencies provide online resources and information. These include:

Updated June 27, 2023