Archived Content
In an effort to keep DHS.gov current, the archive contains outdated information that may not reflect current policy or programs.
Data on Complaints Received
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) investigates and resolves civil rights and civil liberties complaints filed by the public regarding Department policies or activities, or actions taken by Department personnel. Data below reflects complaints received by the Department from 2011 to the present. (Find more information on complaints data for FY 2003-2010 here .)
Total Complaints Department-wide
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
14
13
11
11
28
21
Breach of Confidentiality
3
3
5
Conditions of Detention
69
59
31
63
92
62
Disability Accommodation
6
4
9
6
17
59
Discrimination/Profiling
64
13
17
27
20
31
Due Process
21
8
3
31
40
61
Excessive Force
19
37
46
46
52
44
First Amendment (free speech/association)
1
3
1
6
3
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
6
6
1
9
10
14
Hate Speech
1
Human Rights
1
2
11
6
13
13
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
7
5
8
13
3
5
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
2
5
4
7
14
12
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
1
2
4
6
1
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
3
7
2
3
4
6
Legal Access
4
6
2
11
12
10
Medical/Mental Health Care
47
64
112
144
360
269
Other
1
Privacy
1
4
4
3
Religious Accommodation
4
6
12
7
13
10
Retaliation
2
3
3
5
2
Sexual Assault/Abuse
5
6
9
15
16
14
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
11
4
3
1
1
2
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
8
3
9
14
17
25
Total 8 290253 293 417 714 639
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
8
1
4
7
9
12
Breach of Confidentiality
Conditions of Detention
7
6
5
39
17
18
Disability Accommodation
3
3
1
1
1
3
Discrimination/Profiling
37
5
6
8
11
19
Due Process
7
3
15
5
19
Excessive Force
14
20
30
25
25
21
First Amendment (free speech/association)
1
1
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
1
3
2
5
6
Hate Speech
1
Human Rights
5
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
6
4
6
11
3
4
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
1
1
2
4
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
1
1
2
5
8
4
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
1
6
2
1
3
1
Legal Access
2
2
Medical/Mental Health Care
4
3
11
29
13
17
Monitoring On-going Criminal Proceedings
1
Other
Privacy
1
Religious Accommodation
1
1
1
Retaliation
1
1
Sexual Assault/Abuse
2
3
6
3
4
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
1
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
4
3
4
12
6
14
Total 95 58 73 151 111 136
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
Breach of Confidentiality
Conditions of Detention
Disability Accommodation
Discrimination/Profiling
Due Process
Excessive Force
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
Free Speech/Association
Human Rights
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
1
Legal Access
Medical/Mental Health Care
Other
Privacy
Religious Accommodation
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Abuse
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
Total 0 0 0 0 0 1
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
6
10
7
3
13
7
Breach of Confidentiality
2
2
Conditions of Detention
61
50
26
23
74
43
Disability Accommodation
3
1
7
6
Discrimination/Profiling
13
5
7
13
5
7
Due Process
9
3
2
11
22
25
Excessive Force
5
17
15
19
23
20
First Amendment (free speech/association)
1
1
4
1
Fourth Amendment (Search and Seizure)
5
3
1
6
3
8
Hate Speech
Human Rights
1
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
1
1
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
1
1
2
1
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
1
4
1
5
8
Language Access (Limited English Proficiency)
1
1
1
1
3
Legal Access
2
6
2
11
12
6
Medical/Mental Health Care
42
61
99
112
346
249
Monitoring Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
Other
1
Privacy
4
2
Religious Accommodation
3
4
8
6
12
7
Retaliation
1
2
3
4
2
Sexual Assault/Abuse
3
6
6
8
12
8
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
1
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
3
4
1
11
9
Total 155 174 181 227 542 404
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
1
Breach of Confidentiality
1
Conditions of Detention
Disability Accommodation
3
1
4
3
Discrimination/Profiling
8
3
1
1
1
Due Process
1
Excessive Force
1
First Amendment (free speech/association)
1
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
Hate Speech
Human Rights
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
1
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
Legal Access
Medical/Mental Health Care
Monitoring Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
Other
Privacy
Religious Accommodation
1
2
1
1
1
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Abuse
1
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
9
4
3
1
1
2
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
1
Total 20 9 8 4 8 9
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
Breach of Confidentiality
Conditions of Detention
Disability Accommodation
1
Discrimination/Profiling
Due Process
Excessive Force
First Amendment (free speech/association)
1
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
Hate Speech
Human Rights
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
Legal Access
Medical/Mental Health Care
Other
Privacy
Religious Accommodation
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Abuse
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
Total 0 0 0 1 1 0
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
Breach of Confidentiality
1
2
Conditions of Detention
Disability Accommodation
1
1
1
4
43
Discrimination/Profiling
1
2
2
1
3
Due Process
1
2
8
Excessive Force
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
Free Speech/Association
Human Rights
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
1
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
1
1
Legal Access
1
Medical/Mental Health Care
1
3
Monitoring Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
Other
Privacy
1
Religious Accommodation
1
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Abuse
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
Total 4 0 6 4 11 58
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
Breach of Confidentiality
1
Conditions of Detention
Disability Accommodation
1
Discrimination/Profiling
Due Process
Excessive Force
1
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
Free Speech/Association
1
Human Rights
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
Legal Access
Medical/Mental Health Care
Monitoring Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
Other
Privacy
Religious Accommodation
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Abuse
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
1
Total 0 3 0 0 0 1
Multi-Component
Primary Allegation 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2016
Abuse of Authority
2
1
5
2
Breach of Confidentiality
1
3
Conditions of Detention
1
3
1
1
1
Disability Accommodation
2
1
1
1
4
Discrimination/Profiling
5
2
3
2
1
Due Process
4
2
1
4
11
9
Excessive Force
1
2
4
1
First Amendment (free speech/association)
2
Fourth Amendment (search and seizure)
1
2
Hate Speech
Human Rights
1
2
11
6
13
7
Inappropriate Questioning/Inspection Conditions
6
2
Inappropriate Touch/Search of Person (non-TSA)
2
1
Intimidation/Threat/Improper Coercion
2
1
Language Access (limited English proficiency)
1
1
Legal Access
3
Medical/Mental Health Care
1
2
3
1
Monitoring Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
Other
Privacy
Religious Accommodation
1
1
Retaliation
1
Sexual Assault/Abuse
1
1
1
TSA AIT and TSA Pat-Downs
Retained by DHS Office of Inspector General
1
1
1
Total 16 9 25 30 41 30
*Complaints data for FY 2003-2010 .
Last Updated: 08/01/2024
