---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 345"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "345"
heading: "Establishment of Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/345"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Homeland Security Organization"
  - "Subchapter VII — Management"
---

# §345. Establishment of Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

- (a) **In general—** The Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, who shall report directly to the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16), shall—
  - (1) review and assess information concerning abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion, by employees and officials of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5);
  - (2) make public through the Internet, radio, television, or newspaper advertisements information on the responsibilities and [functions](/usc/6/101.md?p=9) of, and how to contact, the Officer;
  - (3) assist the [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16), directorates, and offices of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) to develop, implement, and periodically review [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) policies and procedures to ensure that the protection of civil rights and civil liberties is appropriately incorporated into [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) programs and activities;
  - (4) oversee compliance with constitutional, statutory, regulatory, policy, and other requirements relating to the civil rights and civil liberties of individuals affected by the programs and activities of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5);
  - (5) coordinate with the Privacy Officer to ensure that—
    - (A) programs, policies, and procedures involving civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy considerations are addressed in an integrated and comprehensive manner; and
    - (B) Congress receives appropriate reports regarding such programs, policies, and procedures; and
  - (6) investigate complaints and information indicating possible abuses of civil rights or civil liberties, unless the Inspector General of the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) determines that any such complaint or information should be investigated by the Inspector General.
- (b) **Report—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/101.md?p=16) shall submit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the appropriate committees and subcommittees of Congress on an annual basis a report on the implementation of this section, including the use of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) appropriated to carry out this section, and detailing any allegations of abuses described under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) and any actions taken by the [Department](/usc/6/101.md?p=5) in response to such allegations.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–296, title VII, § 705, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2219; Pub. L. 108–458, title VIII, § 8303, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3867.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–458, § 8303(1), reenacted heading without change and amended introductory provisions generally. Prior to amendment, introductory provisions read as follows: “The Secretary shall appoint in the Department an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, who shall—”.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–458, § 8303(2), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “review and assess information alleging abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and racial and ethnic profiling by employees and officials of the Department; and”.

Subsec. (a)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 108–458, § 8303(3), (4), added pars. (3) to (6).