How to File Immigration Complaints with DHS OIG and CRCL

Multiple Pathways Available

You can file complaints with multiple agencies simultaneously. Each serves a different purpose and may investigate different aspects of your complaint.

Overview of Complaint Bodies

Agency	Best For	Timeline
DHS OIG	Serious misconduct, criminal behavior, deaths	Months to years
CRCL	Civil rights violations, policy concerns	Weeks to months
ICE OPR	Officer misconduct, policy violations	Varies
Facility Grievance	Immediate issues, documentation	Days to weeks

Filing with DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG)

What OIG Investigates

The DHS Office of Inspector General investigates serious misconduct:

[ ] Deaths in custody
[ ] Excessive force or assault
[ ] Sexual abuse or harassment
[ ] Corruption or bribery
[ ] Fraud or theft
[ ] Gross mismanagement
[ ] Retaliation against whistleblowers

How to File with OIG

Option 1: Phone (Recommended for Urgent Issues)

Hotline: 1-800-323-8603
Hours: 24/7 automated, live operators during business hours
From Detention: Free call required under PBNDS 2011

Option 2: Online

Website: oig.dhs.gov/hotline
Form: Fill out the online complaint form
Attachments: Can upload supporting documents

Option 3: Mail

DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Lane SW, Building 410
Washington, DC 20528-0305

Option 4: Email

Address: DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov
Note: Email is not encrypted; avoid sensitive details

What to Include in OIG Complaint

Required Information:

[ ] Your contact information (or note if anonymous)
[ ] Date(s) of incident
[ ] Location (facility name, address)
[ ] Description of what happened
[ ] Names/badge numbers of officers involved (if known)
[ ] Names of witnesses (if any)

Helpful Additional Information:

[ ] A-Number of affected person
[ ] Photos of injuries
[ ] Medical records
[ ] Written statements from witnesses
[ ] Any documents received from ICE

OIG Complaint Template

COMPLAINT TO DHS OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Date of Complaint: [Today's Date]

COMPLAINANT INFORMATION:
Name: [Your Name or "Anonymous"]
Phone: [Your Phone]
Email: [Your Email]
Relationship to Affected Person: [Self/Family/Witness/Advocate]

AFFECTED PERSON (if different):
Name: [Full Legal Name]
A-Number: A-[Number]
Current Location: [Facility Name]

INCIDENT INFORMATION:
Date of Incident: [Date]
Time of Incident: [Approximate Time]
Location: [Facility Name, Unit, Specific Area]

OFFICERS/STAFF INVOLVED:
[Badge Number, Name if known, Physical Description]
[Badge Number, Name if known, Physical Description]

DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT:
[Detailed description of what happened. Include:
- What led up to the incident
- Exact actions taken by officers
- Exact words spoken (use quotes)
- Your/victim's response
- Injuries sustained
- Medical treatment received or denied
- Witnesses present]

WITNESSES:
Name: [Name]
Contact: [Phone/Email if known]
A-Number: [If detained]

EVIDENCE:
□ Photos attached
□ Medical records attached
□ Written statements attached
□ Other documents: [List]

I declare that the information provided is true and accurate
to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ______________________ Date: __________

What Happens After Filing with OIG

Receipt: You may receive a confirmation number
Review: OIG staff reviews complaint for jurisdiction
Assignment: If warranted, assigned to investigator
Investigation: Interviews, document review, site visits
Findings: OIG determines if allegations are substantiated
Action: Recommendations for discipline, policy changes, or prosecution

Timeline: Investigations can take months to years for complex cases.

Updates: OIG generally does not provide status updates during investigation.

Filing with Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)

What CRCL Reviews

CRCL reviews complaints involving civil rights and civil liberties:

[ ] Discrimination (race, religion, national origin, disability)
[ ] Denial of due process
[ ] Inadequate language access
[ ] Religious accommodation denials
[ ] Disability accommodation denials
[ ] Conditions of confinement
[ ] Medical care concerns
[ ] Use of force concerns

How to File with CRCL

Option 1: Online (Recommended)

Website: dhs.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint
Form: DHS Civil Rights Complaint Form
Languages: Available in multiple languages

Option 2: Email

Address: CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov
Subject Line: Include "CRCL Complaint" and brief description

Option 3: Phone

Number: 202-401-1474
TTY: 202-401-0470

Option 4: Mail

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Compliance Branch, Mail Stop #0190
2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20528-0190

Option 5: Fax

Number: 202-401-4708

What to Include in CRCL Complaint

Section 1: Your Information

Name (or "Anonymous")
Address, phone, email
Preferred language for communication
Relationship to affected person

Section 2: Affected Person

Full legal name
A-Number
Date of birth
Country of birth
Current location

Section 3: Incident Details

Date(s) of incident
Location (specific facility, unit)
DHS component involved (ICE, CBP, etc.)
Detailed description of what happened

Section 4: Civil Rights Concern

Type of discrimination or violation
How rights were violated
Impact on affected person

Section 5: Prior Complaints

Previous grievances filed
Responses received
Other agencies contacted

CRCL Complaint Template

CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT TO DHS CRCL

Date: [Today's Date]

SECTION 1: COMPLAINANT INFORMATION
Name: [Your Name]
Address: [Your Address]
Phone: [Your Phone]
Email: [Your Email]
Preferred Language: [Language]
Are you filing on behalf of someone else? □ Yes □ No

SECTION 2: AFFECTED PERSON
Name: [Full Legal Name]
A-Number: A-[Number]
Date of Birth: [DOB]
Country of Birth: [Country]
Current Location: [Facility Name and Address]
Immigration Status: [If known]

SECTION 3: INCIDENT DETAILS
Date(s) of Incident: [Date(s)]
Location: [Facility, Unit, Area]
DHS Component: □ ICE □ CBP □ USCIS □ Other: ____

Description of Incident:
[Provide detailed description including:
- What happened
- Who was involved (names, badge numbers)
- What was said
- What actions were taken
- How this affected the person]

SECTION 4: CIVIL RIGHTS CONCERN
Type of Concern (check all that apply):
□ Racial discrimination
□ National origin discrimination
□ Religious discrimination
□ Disability discrimination
□ Language access denial
□ Due process violation
□ Conditions of confinement
□ Medical care denial
□ Excessive force
□ Other: ____________________

Explain how civil rights were violated:
[Describe the specific civil rights concern]

SECTION 5: PRIOR COMPLAINTS
Have you filed a grievance with the facility? □ Yes □ No
If yes, date filed: _______ Response received: □ Yes □ No

Have you contacted other agencies? □ Yes □ No
If yes, which agencies: _______________________

SECTION 6: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
□ Grievance forms and responses
□ Medical records
□ Photos
□ Witness statements
□ Other: ____________________

I certify that the information provided is true and correct.

Signature: ______________________ Date: __________

What Happens After Filing with CRCL

Acknowledgment: CRCL sends confirmation with case number
Review: Staff reviews for jurisdiction and completeness
Information Request: May ask for additional information
Investigation: Reviews documents, may contact parties
Resolution: May recommend policy changes, training, or referral
Notification: You receive written response

Timeline: Initial review within 30 days; full review varies.

Filing with ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)

What OPR Investigates

ICE OPR investigates allegations against ICE employees:

Officer misconduct
Policy violations
Unprofessional behavior
Abuse of authority

How to File with OPR

Online:

Website: ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form

Phone:

Number: 1-877-2-INTAKE (1-877-246-8253)

Filing Facility Grievances

Why File Facility Grievances

Even if you plan to file with OIG or CRCL, facility grievances are important:

Creates official record of complaint
Required first step for some legal actions
Faster response for immediate issues
Documents pattern of problems

How to File

Request grievance form from facility staff
Complete form with specific details
Keep a copy for your records
Submit to grievance coordinator
Follow up if no response within timeframe

Grievance Tips

Be specific: Dates, times, names, locations
Stick to facts: Describe what happened objectively
Request specific remedy: What do you want done?
Keep copies: Document everything
Note deadlines: Facilities have response timeframes

Filing Multiple Complaints

Recommended Approach

For serious incidents, file with multiple agencies:

Facility grievance - Creates immediate record
CRCL - Civil rights review
OIG - Criminal/serious misconduct investigation
Advocacy organizations - Pattern tracking, support

Coordination Tips

Use the same basic facts in all complaints
Note which other agencies you've contacted
Keep copies of all submissions
Track confirmation numbers and dates

Anonymous Complaints

What You Can File Anonymously

OIG hotline accepts anonymous complaints
CRCL accepts anonymous complaints
Facility grievances typically require name

Limitations of Anonymous Complaints

Harder to investigate without contact
Cannot receive updates or follow-up
May be given lower priority
Still valuable for pattern identification

Protecting Your Identity

If concerned about retaliation:

File through an attorney
Use advocacy organization as intermediary
Request confidentiality (though not guaranteed)
Document any retaliation as separate complaint

After Filing: What to Expect

Response Times

Agency	Initial Response	Investigation
OIG	May not acknowledge	Months to years
CRCL	30 days	Weeks to months
Facility	Per policy (often 5-10 days)	Varies

If You Don't Hear Back

Wait appropriate time for agency
Follow up in writing
Reference your confirmation number
Contact advocacy organization for help
Consider congressional inquiry

Retaliation Protections

Retaliation for filing complaints is prohibited. If you experience:

Transfer after complaint
Discipline after complaint
Threats or intimidation
Denial of privileges

Document and report as a separate complaint.

Getting Help

Organizations That Can Assist

Organization	Services	Contact
Freedom for Immigrants	Complaint assistance	9233# from detention
ACLU	Legal support	aclu.org
National Immigrant Justice Center	Legal assistance	immigrantjustice.org
Human Rights Watch	Documentation	hrw.org

Legal Representation

An attorney can:

File complaints on your behalf
Protect your confidentiality
Follow up with agencies
Pursue legal action if needed

Find Legal Aid

Quick Reference

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│       FILING COMPLAINTS QUICK GUIDE         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                             │
│  DHS OIG (serious misconduct):              │
│  Phone: 1-800-323-8603                      │
│  Web: oig.dhs.gov/hotline                   │
│  Email: DHSOIGHotline@dhs.gov               │
│                                             │
│  CRCL (civil rights):                       │
│  Web: dhs.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint   │
│  Phone: 202-401-1474                        │
│  Email: CRCLCompliance@hq.dhs.gov           │
│                                             │
│  ICE OPR (officer misconduct):              │
│  Phone: 1-877-246-8253                      │
│  Web: ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form          │
│                                             │
│  INCLUDE IN ALL COMPLAINTS:                 │
│  • Date, time, location                     │
│  • Who was involved                         │
│  • What happened (specific details)         │
│  • Witnesses                                │
│  • Evidence available                       │
│                                             │
│  FILE WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES                │
│  FOR SERIOUS INCIDENTS                      │
│                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘