CIVIL RIGHTS DURING U.S. BORDER INSPECTION
The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties accepts complaints alleging civil-rights or civil-liberties violations involving DHS personnel and activities. Its complaint materials specifically identify discrimination or inappropriate questioning related to entry into the United States, detention-related rights concerns, physical abuse and other civil-rights issues.
DHS states that its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties reviews and investigates complaints from members of the public involving DHS programs, policies, activities and personnel.
The current DHS civil-rights complaint materials specifically list discrimination or inappropriate questioning related to entry into the United States as examples of matters that may be submitted to CRCL.
A traveler does not need to convert every unpleasant inspection into a discrimination claim. The complaint should identify the actual conduct and the protected-rights concern involved.
CRCL materials also identify alleged violations of rights during immigration detention or enforcement, limited-English-proficiency access problems, physical abuse and other civil-rights or civil-liberties violations.
DHS states that use of its complaint form is optional. A written complaint containing the requested information can also be submitted.
CRCL states that complaints may be submitted in languages other than English and that interpreter and translation resources are available.
CRCL permits anonymous complaints, but DHS warns that anonymity can make investigation difficult or impossible if investigators cannot obtain necessary information or follow up with the complainant.
A civil-rights complaint can investigate or address DHS conduct and policies, but it does not automatically cancel an expedited-removal order, grant a visa or admit the traveler.
If the same incident also created an immigration finding, that finding must be analyzed separately.
Yes. DHS CRCL expressly identifies discrimination or inappropriate questioning related to entry into the United States as a category of civil-rights complaint.
No. DHS states that the form is optional and that a written complaint containing the requested information can be used.
Yes. CRCL states that complaints are accepted in languages other than English.
These government materials provide the principal complaint, oversight and traveler-redress procedures discussed on this page.
The most useful complaint clearly identifies the conduct, location, people involved and supporting evidence while separating civil-rights issues from the underlying immigration decision.