The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the importance of being able to communicate effectively with individuals, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP), across our many missions and functions. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) leads the Department's efforts to provide meaningful access for LEP individuals in its programs, activities, services, and operations.
A limited English proficient (LEP) person is someone who does not speak English as their primary language, and has a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, the top five languages spoken in the United States by individuals who are LEP are: Spanish, Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog (including Filipino). However, DHS must be prepared to effectively communicate with LEP persons that speak dozens if not hundreds of other languages encountered in DHS programs and activities.
The language access plans, resources, and tools featured below enables DHS to carry out its diverse mission while supporting its workforce and the public.
Language Services
For free language services, including written translation or oral interpretation of a publicly available document, or to request documents in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, please contact us at crcl@hq.dhs.gov
| Language | Translation |
|---|---|
| Arabic |
للحصول على خدمات لغوية مجانية، بما في ذلك ترجمة تحريرية أو ترجمة شفهية لوثيقة CRCL متاحة للجمهور، أو لطلب وثائق بتشكيلات بديلة مثل طريقة برايل أو الطباعة الكبيرة، يرجى الاتصال بنا على crcl@hq.dhs.gov |
| Chinese Traditional |
如需免費語言服務，包括公開CRCL 文件的書面翻譯或口譯，或需要點字或大字體等其他備選格式的文件，請透過crcl@hq.dhs.gov 與我們聯繫。 |
| Chinese Simplified |
如需免费语言服务，包括公开CRCL 文件的书面翻译或口译，或需要盲文或大字体等其他备选格式的文件，请通过crcl@hq.dhs.gov 与我们联系。 |
| Dari |
برای خدمات رایگان زبان، از جمله ترجمه کتبی یا گفتاری یک سند CRCL که در دسترس عموم قرار دارد، یا درخواست اسناد در قالب های جایگزین مانند بریل یا چاپ بزرگ، لطفاً با ما از طریق ایمیل آدرس crcl@hq.dhs.gov تماس بگیرید. |
| Haitian Creole |
Pou sèvis lang gratis, tankou tradiksyon alekri oswa entèpretasyon oral yon dokiman CRCL ki disponib pou piblik la, oswa pou mande dokiman nan lòt fòma tankou bray oswa gwo lèt, tanpri kontakte nou nan crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| French |
Pour des services linguistiques gratuits, y compris la traduction écrite ou l'interprétation orale d'un document accessible au public CRCL, ou pour demander des documents dans d’autres formats tels que le braille ou les gros caractères, veuillez nous contacter à crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Korean |
공개적으로 이용 가능한CRCL 문서의 서면 번역 또는 구두 통역을 포함한 무료 언어 서비스를 원하거나 점자 또는 큰 활자체와 같은 대체 형식의 문서를 요청하려면 crcl@hq.dhs.gov로 문의하십시오. |
| Pashto |
په عامه توګه د موجود CRCL سند د لیکلې ژباړې یا شفاهي ژباړې په شمول د وړیا ژبې خدماتو لپاره، یا په بله بڼه لکه بریل یا لوی چاپ شکل د اسنادو غوښتنې لپاره، مهرباني وکړئ له موږ سره د دې crcl@hq.dhs.gov برېښناليک له لارې اړیکه ونیسئ. |
| Portuguese |
Para serviços linguísticos gratuitos, incluindo tradução escrita ou interpretação |
| Russian |
Чтобы получить бесплатные языковые услуги, в том числе письменный или устный перевод общедоступного документа CRCL, или запросить документы в альтернативных форматах, таких как шрифт Брайля или крупный шрифт, свяжитесь с нами по адресу crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Somali |
Adeegyada luqadda bilaashka ah, oo ay ku jiraan fasiraada qoran ama tarjumaadda afka ee dukumeenti si guud loo heli karo CRCL, ama si aad u codsato dukumeenti qaabab kale ah sida farta indhoolaha ama far waaweyn, fadlan nagala soo xiriir crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Spanish |
Para obtener servicios lingüísticos gratuitos, incluida la traducción escrita o la interpretación oral de un documento CRCL disponible públicamente, o para solicitar documentos en formatos alternativos como Braille o letra grande, contáctenos en crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Thai |
สำหรับบริการภาษาฟรี รวมถึงการแปลเป็นลายลักษณ์อักษรหรือการตีความด้วยวาจาของเอกสาร CRCL ที่เปิดเผยต่อสาธารณะ หรือต้องการขอเอกสารในรูปแบบอื่น เช่น อักษรเบรลล์หรือตัวพิมพ์ขนาดใหญ่ โปรดติดต่อเราที่ crcl@hq.dhs.gov |
| Tagalog |
Para sa mga libreng serbisyo sa wika, kabilang ang nakasulat na pagsasalin o oral na interpretasyon ng isang dokumentong available sa publiko CRCL, o para humiling ng mga dokumento sa mga alternatibong format gaya ng Braille o malaking print, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa amin sa crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Ukrainian |
Щоб отримати безкоштовні мовні послуги, включаючи письмовий чи усний переклад загальнодоступного документа CRCL, або замовити документи в альтернативних форматах, наприклад шрифтом Брайля чи великим шрифтом, зв’яжіться з нами за адресою crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
| Vietnamese |
Đối với các dịch vụ ngôn ngữ miễn phí, bao gồm bản dịch bằng văn bản hoặc phiên dịch CRCL dành cho công chúng hoặc yêu cầu văn bản thông dịch ra dưới ở dạng thay thế như chữ nổi Braille hoặc bản in khổ lớn, xin vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi tại crcl@hq.dhs.gov. |
The Department has published an updated plan for providing meaningful access to homeland security programs and activities to people with LEP. The Language Access Plan strengthens the system within DHS to implement Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (PDF, 4 pages, 321 KB) (August 11, 2000). This document replaces the plan DHS first issued in 2012.
- Attorney General's Memorandum for Heads of Federal Agencies, Heads of Civil Rights Offices, and General Counsels Regarding Strengthening the Federal Government's Commitment to Language Access (November 2023)
- Updated DHS Language Access Plan (November 2023)
- DHS Press Release on Updated Language Access Plan (November 2023)
- Readout: DHS Language Access Plan Listening Session (March 2023)
DHS Language Access Plan 2012
CRCL issued a draft DHS Indigenous Languages Plan in February 2023, for informal comments. The plan is a vehicle to strengthen language services for Indigenous migrants whom the Department encounters and serves through its programs, activities, and operations. Following a period of outreach and input from Indigenous community leaders, DHS expects to issue the final plan in late 2023.
In coordination with CRCL, each DHS Component developed its own individual Language Access Plan for improving delivery of language services to LEP persons. These plans incorporate feedback from a variety of stakeholders on practical and effective ways to ensure language access across DHS mission areas. In Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020, DHS Components updated their plans with information on LEP demographics, including: indigenous languages, mechanisms for evaluating language access within the Component, and use of new technologies in providing language access.
- CRCL Officer Cameron Quinn's memorandum to DHS Component Heads (August 2018)
- CRCL Officer Megan Mack's message in English and other languages (September 2014)
- DHS Blue Campaign
- DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- DHS Office of Inspector General
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Federal Protective Services
- Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Office of the Immigration and Detention Ombudsman
- U.S. Secret Service
Non-federal recipients of financial assistance from the Department have an obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to persons with LEP, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Department’s implementing regulations. This obligation is similar to the Department’s obligation to LEP persons under Executive Order 13166. Please refer to the Guidance below for more information on recipient language access obligations.
- I Speak materials are practical tools that assist DHS employees and recipients in their interactions with LEP individuals to identify their preferred language.
- Overview of I Speak Resources for Recipients
- I Speak Language Identification Guide for Recipients
- I Speak Language Identification Guide for DHS Personnel and Others
- I Speak Booklet Printing Instructions
- I Speak Language Identification Poster
- I Speak Indigenous Language Identification Poster
- I Speak Indigenous Language Identification Insert for I Speak Language Identification Guides
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, MyCBP Indigenous Language Identification Tool
- How to Request Language Services (Sample)
- Protocol for Identifying LEP Persons and Providing Language Services (Sample)
- Language Access Responsibilities: Overview for DHS Employees
- Language Access Resource Guide for Law Enforcement
- Working with Interpreters: Job Aid for DHS Employees
- LEP.gov: Federal clearinghouse of information, tools, and technical assistance regarding LEP and language services.
- Language Resources in Support of Operation Allies Welcome
- Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” (August 11, 2000) (PDF, 4 pages, 321 KB)
- DHS Title VI Implementing Regulation, 6 C.F.R. Part 7, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the Department of Homeland Security” (PDF, 11 pages, 134 KB)
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Mail Stop #0190
Washington, D.C. 20528-0190
Phone: 202-401-1474 | 1-866-644-8360 (toll free)
TTY: 202-401-0470 | 1-866-644-8361 (toll free)
Fax: 202-401-4708
E-mail: crcl@hq.dhs.gov