Congressman Al Green and Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson Introduce the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act

(Washington, DC) - On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson introduced the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act, legislation to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). The bill enhances the Office's authority to protect civil rights and civil liberties, improves transparency and accountability, strengthens oversight of DHS policies and programs, establishes CRCL officers across DHS operational components, improves the public complaint process, and requires annual reporting to Congress.

The legislation follows the Trump Administration's significant reduction of the CRCL workforce, which weakened the Office's ability to protect civil rights and civil liberties and provide meaningful oversight within the Department. The legislation is endorsed by the Washington Office on Latin America and the Kino Border Initiative. The full text of the bill can be accessed by clicking here.

Ranking Member Thompson stated, "It is critical for DHS to have a fully staffed, properly resourced, and transparent Civil Rights and Civil Liberties office to investigate and inform the public on potential civil rights and civil liberties abuses at the Department. Even before Donald Trump decimated the office and fired most of its workforce, it did not have the necessary authorities to do its job properly. I thank my friend and colleague Congressman Green for introducing this necessary legislation to expand and strengthen the office, ensure each DHS component is involved, and make certain what Trump did to the office is not allowed to happen again."

Congressman Al Green stated, "I thank Ranking Member Thompson for partnering with me as a co-lead on this legislation and for his commitment to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all people. This legislation strengthens the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties by ensuring it has the authority, transparency, and independence necessary to hold the Department accountable, protect constitutional rights, and help restore the public's confidence that security and liberty will always advance together. Homeland security and civil liberties are not competing priorities; they are complementary responsibilities. We must protect our homeland without compromising the constitutional rights and freedoms that define us as a Nation."