CBP is committed to preserving individual liberty under the law in the conduct of its primary mission of securing the nation. This includes upholding the civil rights and civil liberties of the members of the public with whom its employees come into contact in the course of their inspectional, enforcement, and trade activities, and prohibiting the use of racial profiling in the conduct of these activities.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) reviews and assesses complaints from the public in areas such as: physical or other abuse; discrimination based on religion, gender, or disability; inappropriate conditions of confinement; infringements of free speech; violation of right to due process, such as right to timely notice of charges or access to lawyer; violation of the confidentiality requirements of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); and any other civil rights or civil liberties violation related to a Department program or activity.
CRCL also reviews the programs of its component agencies, including CBP, to assure that the component agencies meet their commitment to observe the civil rights and civil liberties of the public and to avoid racial profiling in conducting stops, searches, and other law enforcement, investigation, or inspectional activities.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties encompass two major areas:
Additional Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Resources
- Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions in or near Courthouses Memo
- CBP Directive No. 2130-021 - Role and Responsibilities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Component Offices and Employees Regarding Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Matters
- CBP Policy on Nondiscrimination in Law Enforcement Activities and all other Administered Programs
- FAQs: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- File a Civil Rights Complaint | DHS
