Five Federal Departments Join Justice Department in Reaffirming Shared Commitment to Uphold Civil Rights Laws and Advance Environmental Justice

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and officials from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights; Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Departmental Office of Civil Rights; Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of External Civil Rights Compliance; Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity jointly reaffirmed today their shared commitment to uphold civil rights laws and advance environmental justice in communities across the United States.

“The Justice Department is committed to fully enforcing federal civil rights laws to address our nation’s legacy of environmental racism and underinvestment in communities of color,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Since 2021, we have stepped up our efforts to coordinate these critical enforcement efforts across the federal government and will continue to do so as recipients utilize billions of dollars in new infrastructure grants. We will continue to drive a whole-of-government approach in the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in our country.”

“The Environmental Protection Agency continues to center our mission on the integration of justice, equity and civil rights for communities across the country that have not received the full benefits from EPA’s decades of progress. We are committed to the enforcement of civil rights to address environmental injustice,” said Deputy Assistant Administrator for Program Implementation Marianne Engelman-Lado of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “From integrating civil rights into the fabric of our Strategic Plan and daily operations, to increased funding and staffing for this critical work, EPA will continue to strengthen our civil rights enforcement program.”

“Environmental justice is a public health issue, and our civil rights laws should ensure that all communities—no matter your race or zip code—are safe and free from environmental hazards,” said Director Melanie Fontes Rainer of the HHS Office for Civil Rights. “Unfortunately, communities of color have historically been subject to environmental injustice and deserve the full attention of the federal government through the enforcement of our laws to be free from discrimination.”

“Beyond moving people and goods, transportation plays a key role in our personal and environmental health,” said Director Irene Marion of the DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights. “Although our nation’s transportation infrastructure is a shared asset, historically not all communities have enjoyed its full advantages and benefits. DOT is committed to correcting this course by leveraging its authority and resources to ensure transportation systems that are safe, efficient and accessible for all.”

“Advancing environmental justice can occur through education, technical assistance and robust enforcement of long-standing civil rights laws,” said Officer Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia of the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. “We are committed to working with recipients and communities toward achieving environmental justice.”      

“The Department of Housing and Urban Development is committed to enforcing fair housing and civil rights laws that advance environmental justice so all neighborhoods and communities are healthy, safe and resilient places where residents can thrive,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Demetria McCain of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Protected classes must not bear the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards, though they have for too long.”

In the statement, the agencies reaffirmed their commitment to vigorously using all applicable civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to advance environmental justice and to actively work with state, territorial and local governments and all other entities that receive federal funding to ensure compliance with these important laws. The joint statement also reminds recipients that civil rights obligations are separate and distinct from recipients’ other obligations, including obligations to comply with federal, state, territorial and local environmental laws. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work to uphold and protect civil rights is available online at justice.gov/crt. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov.