Racial Justice Bureau | State of California - Department of Justice

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The Racial Justice Bureau is within the Public Right Division's Civil Rights Enforcement Section, and addresses unlawful race, color, and ancestry-based" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://oag.ca.gov/rjb" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://oag.ca.gov/node/568525" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://oag.ca.gov/rjb" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Racial Justice Bureau" /> <meta property="og:description" content="In May 2021, Attorney General Bonta established the Racial Justice Bureau to increase focus on racial and social justice issues across DOJ's civil rights work and support new and ongoing efforts to protect all Californians. 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}); </script> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> </div> </div> <div class="main-container container"> <div class="row"> <section class="col-sm-9"> <a id="main-content"></a> <h1 class="page-header">Racial Justice Bureau</h1> <div class="region region-content"> <div id="block-system-main" class="block block-system"> <div class="content"> <div id="node-568525" class="node node-page clearfix" about="/rjb" typeof="foaf:Document"> <span property="dc:title" content="Racial Justice Bureau" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="sioc:num_replies" content="0" datatype="xsd:integer" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> <div class="content clearfix"> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><style type="text/css"> #rvs-accordion .panel-heading a:before { font-family: 'Glyphicons Halflings'; content: "\e114"; float: right; 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.highlighted-spot .contact { border-top: 5px solid #fff; border-left: none; } .highlighted-spot h2 { height: auto; } .no-border { border-bottom: none !important; } } .ripa-header { /*text-transform: uppercase;*/ text-align: center; text-transform: capitalize; color: #23406e; font-size: 3.5rem; line-height: 4.25rem; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 2px solid #666; padding: 2rem 0; min-height: 80px; display: flex; flex-flow: column nowrap; justify-content: center; } .ms-icons { width: 60px; margin-bottom: 0; filter: brightness(0) invert(1); /*padding-bottom: 10px;*/ /*filter: invert(40%) sepia(0%) saturate(1008%) hue-rotate(146deg) brightness(95%) contrast(82%);*/ } .ms-icons:hover { filter: invert(56%) sepia(17%) saturate(5935%) hue-rotate(158deg) brightness(97%) contrast(102%); } </style>  <div class="top-banner"> <img class="img-responsive center-block" src="/sites/default/files/Racial-Justice-Bureau-Quote.jpg" alt="It's going to take all of us working together to take on bias and hate and their toxic effects on our society. As part of that, I’m launching a Racial Justice Bureau within the California Department of Justice and working to help bring together many of our major local elected leaders in common cause against hate. -Rob Bonta"> </div>  <p>In May 2021, Attorney General Bonta established the <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-launches-new-racial-justice-bureau-announces-virtual" target="_blank">Racial Justice Bureau</a> to increase focus on racial and social justice issues across DOJ's civil rights work and support new and ongoing efforts to protect all Californians. The Racial Justice Bureau is within the <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/careers/descriptions/publicrights" target="_blank">Public Right Division's Civil Rights Enforcement Section</a>, and addresses unlawful race, color, and ancestry-based discrimination in a variety of areas, including but not limited to voting rights, immigration, law enforcement, and hate crimes. The Racial Justice Bureau advances racial justice through investigations, litigation, amicus briefs, public reports, and other publications.</p>  <div class="highlighted-spot row no-gutter row "> <div class="col-md-2"> <div class="desc"> <a href="#investigations"><i class="fa fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i> <h2>Investigations</h2> </a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <div class="desc"> <a href="#work"><i class="fa fa-briefcase" aria-hidden="true"></i> <h2>Recent Work</h2> </a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <div class="desc"> <a href="#enforcement"><i class="fa fa-gavel" aria-hidden="true"></i> <h2>Enforcement</h2> </a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-2"> <div class="desc"> <a href="#contact"><i class="fa fa-envelope-open" aria-hidden="true"></i> <h2>Contact</h2> </a> </div> </div> </div>  <h2 id="investigations">Investigative Authority</h2> <p>The Racial Justice Bureau conducts investigations per <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=3.&title=2.&part=1.&chapter=2.&article=2" target="_blank">Government Code section 11180 et seq</a>. These investigations address systemic failures, a pattern or practice of violations, or discriminatory policies, procedures, or practices that broadly involve unlawful racial discrimination.</p> <p>The Bureau does not handle individual complaints or inquiries. As a result, the Bureau does not represent individuals or provide individuals legal advice. The Bureau is not mandated to pursue cases involving isolated violations of law, matters against state-level public entities, or out-of-state conduct. Instead, the Bureau pursues systemic violations of law by local governmental entities or companies directly impacting the general public or large groups of individuals.</p> <p>For individual matters, please submit a complaint with California's Civil Rights Department (formerly California Department of Fair Employment and Housing) here: <a href="https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/complaintprocess/?content=fileComplaint#fileComplaintBody" target="_blank">CRD File a Complaint</a>.</p> <h2 id="work">Recent Work</h2> <div class="panel-group" id="rvs-accordion" role="tablist" aria-multiselectable="true"> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading" role="tab" id="headingOne"> <h4 class="panel-title"> <a id="abr" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#rvs-accordion" href="#law-enforcement-bulletins" aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="law-enforcement-bulletins"> Law Enforcement Bulletins </a> </h4> </div> <div id="law-enforcement-bulletins" class="panel-collapse collapse" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="headingOne"> <div class="panel-body"> <h3>Hate Crimes Law Enforcement Bulletin and Prosecutors' Guidance</h3> <p>On June 30, 2021, the Division of Law Enforcement (DLE), with support from Racial Justice Bureau, issued a law enforcement <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2021-dle-05.pdf" target="_blank">bulletin</a> regarding California's hate crimes laws, to help ensure that law enforcement officials are swiftly and appropriately responding to hate crimes. Racial Justice Bureau also issued <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/hc-prosecutor-guidance.pdf" target="_blank">guidance</a> for prosecutors on best practices and resources for combating hate crimes at every level of enforcement. Read more about our office's efforts on hate crimes <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-unveils-new-guidance-reports-help-public-and-law" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h3>Voting Rights Law Enforcement and Probation Department Bulletins</h3> <p>In anticipation of the 2022 elections, DLE with support from the Bureau, published bulletins to <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2022-dle-16.pdf" target="_blank">law enforcement agencies</a> and <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2022-dle-15.pdf" target="_blank">probation departments</a> providing information about who is eligible to vote, reminding agencies of their responsibilities with respect to incarcerated individuals' right to vote, and outlining the categories of individuals who are eligible to vote despite being incarcerated or having a criminal history.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading" role="tab" id="headingTwo"> <h4 class="panel-title"> <a id="bc" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#rvs-accordion" href="#amicus-curiae-briefs" aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="amicus-curiae-briefs"> Amicus Curiae Briefs </a> </h4> </div> <div id="amicus-curiae-briefs" class="panel-collapse collapse" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="headingTwo"> <div class="panel-body"> <h3>Immigration</h3> <strong>Texas v. USA, et al. & Karla Perez, et al. & State of New Jersey (DACA)</strong> <p>In March 2023, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in an <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2023.03.09 - DACA Amicus - Texas v USA.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, pushing back against the ongoing, misguided effort led by Texas to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.</p> <strong>United States v. Texas (Enforcement Priorities)</strong> <p>In September 2022, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, co-led a multistate coalition in filing an <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/22-58_Br for NY-Calif-et al_Amici for Petitioners.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize immigration enforcement efforts around those who pose the greatest threat to national security, public safety, and border security. Given DHS' limited enforcement resources, the guidance focuses efforts on direct threats to public safety and reasonably accounts for mitigating factors like a noncitizen's ties to family members and communities in the United States.</p> <strong>Washington v. GEO Group</strong> <p>In May 2022, together with the Workers' Rights and Fair Labor Section, Racial Justice Bureau led a coalition of 16 attorneys general to file a brief in the Ninth Circuit in support of the State of Washington. The case centers around a lawsuit filed in 2017 by the State of Washington challenging GEO Group, Inc.'s (GEO) failure to pay state minimum wages to individuals who worked for GEO during their confinement to GEO's private, for-profit detention facility while awaiting the outcome of civil immigration proceedings.</p> <strong>Biden v. Texas (Migrant Protection Protocols)</strong> <p>In March 2022, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, joined a multistate <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Biden v. Texas - States of Illinois et al. Amicus Brief - submitted.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> filed in the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision to terminate the harmful Migrant Protection Protections, commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Under the policy, asylum seekers were forced to remain in Mexico during the pendency of their asylum cases and face significant hurdles to pursuing their claims, including limited access to counsel and the increased risk that they will be victims of violence.</p> <h3>Voting Rights</h3> <strong>Moore v. Harper</strong> <p>In October 2022, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, joined a multistate <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Moore v. Harper Amicus Br. filed.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> in the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of fundamental legal protections that safeguard free and fair federal elections across the country. The brief opposed an extreme legal theory in which state courts and other branches of government would have no authority in matters relating to federal elections, including redistricting.</p> <strong>Merrill v. Milligan</strong> <p>In July 2022, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, joined a multistate <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Merrill v. Milligan DC NY Amicus as filed.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Alabama's racially gerrymandered congressional map and to uphold long-standing anti-discrimination protections guaranteed under the Voting Rights Act.</p> <strong>Community Success Initiative v. Moore</strong> <p>In August 2022, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, joined a multistate coalition in filing an <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Cmy Success Amicus Brief filed.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> urging the North Carolina Supreme Court to affirm a trial court decision to restore the voting rights of previously incarcerated individuals in North Carolina.</p> <strong>League of Women Voters, Inc. v. Lee,</strong> <p>In December 2021, the Attorney General, through Racial Justice Bureau, joined a multistate <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/League-of-Women-Voters-As-Filed-Amicus-Brief-.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> in the Eleventh Circuit opposing Florida's Senate Bill 90, which restricts access to voting by curtailing opportunities to vote by mail and limiting the use of ballot drop boxes.</p> <h3>Education</h3> <strong>Natomas Unified School District v. Sacramento County Board of Education</strong> <p>In August 2022, the Racial Justice Bureau in collaboration with the Bureau for Children's Justice filed an <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/E-filed confirmation of Amicus Brief- Natomas v. Sac County Bd of Edu.pdf" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> in the California Court of Appeal in Natomas Unified School District v. Sacramento County Board of Education, relating to the expulsion of an elementary school student, as California has moved away from exclusionary discipline that has disproportionately harmed students of color and other vulnerable student groups.</p> <h3>Anti-Discrimination</h3> <strong>Kristina Raines, et al v. U.S. Healthworks Medical Group, et al</strong> <p>In June 2021, together with the Disability Rights Bureau, Racial Justice Bureau filed an amicus brief in the <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2021.06.16 -Raines Amicus Brief -.pdf" target="_blank">Ninth Circuit</a> and then in October 2022 in the <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/S273630.ACB_.AttorneyGeneralofCalifornia.pdf" target="_blank">California Supreme Court</a> regarding the definition of “employer” under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. The court's ruling will significantly affect thousands of people with disabilities and members of other groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities—to obtain remedies from agents who engage in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading" role="tab" id="headingThree"> <h4 class="panel-title"> <a id="crisis" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#rvs-accordion" href="#investigations-reviews-reports-litigation" aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="investigations-reviews-reports-litigation"> Investigations, Reviews, Reports, and Litigation </a> </h4> </div> <div id="investigations-reviews-reports-litigation" class="panel-collapse collapse" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="headingThree"> <div class="panel-body"> <h3>Immigration</h3> <strong>Immigration Detention Facilities Review</strong> <p>Assembly Bill 103 (2017) (AB 103), Cal. Gov't Code § 12532(a), requires the California Attorney General to conduct reviews of in-state facilities that house immigration detainees to assess “the conditions of confinement,” “the standard of care and due process provided,” and “the circumstances around [the] apprehension and transfer” of detainees until July 1, 2027. Racial Justice Bureau issued its most recent <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/immigration-detention-2022.pdf?" target="_blank">report</a> on detention center conditions on July 14, 2022, which focused on COVID-19 protocols.</p> <h3>Voting Rights</h3> <strong>Investigation of the City of Los Angeles' Council Redistricting Process</strong> <p>In October 2022, the Racial Justice Bureau launched of an independent investigation into the City of Los Angeles and its city council regarding the city's council district redistricting process. The investigation followed the release of leaked audio revealing deeply concerning remarks tied to the city's 2021 redistricting efforts, and will seek to determine whether there were any violations of state or federal voting rights laws and transparency laws. More information about the investigation can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-california-department-justice-investigate-los-angeles" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <strong>U.S. Postal Service Election Mail Settlement</strong> <p>In May 2022, the Attorney General, through the Racial Justice Bureau, joined into a settlement in the multistate lawsuit, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania et al. v. Louis Dejoy et al. This lawsuit was initiated in the months before the 2020 election, and challenged a number of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) operational and policy changes that resulted mail delays at a time when many states, including California, had broadly expanded mail-in voting. Under the settlement, representatives from the USPS is required to post election mail related policies consistent with the settlement to ensure the timely delivery of election mail. Read more about the lawsuit <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-steps-legal-pressure-protect-us-postal-service-trump" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h3>Policing</h3> <strong>Independent Review of the Torrance Police Department</strong> <p>In December 2021, the Racial Justice Bureau launched an independent review of the Torrance Police Department to identify and correct potential systemic failures in the department's policies and practices. The review comes amidst deeply concerning allegations of excessive force, racist text messages, and other discriminatory misconduct, and follows a request for assistance by the Torrance Chief of Police. More information about the review can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-launches-independent-review-torrance-police-department" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>In May 2022, the Racial Justice Bureau launched a civil rights investigation into the Antioch Police Department (APD). The investigation will seek to determine whether the law enforcement agency has engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing amid deeply concerning allegations relating to bigoted text messages and other potentially discriminatory misconduct. If, through this investigation, the Attorney General's Office determines that unlawful activity or practices took place, the office will also determine what potential actions are needed to ensure comprehensive corrective action takes place at APD. More information can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-launches-civil-rights-investigation-antioch-police" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <strong>Racial Identity and Profiling Act Advisory Board</strong> <p>The Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) of 2015, Assembly Bill 953, Government Code, § 12525.5, requires law enforcement agencies to report data regarding stops to the Attorney General. The bill tasked the Attorney General with forming a <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/ab953/board/reports" target="_blank">RIPA Advisory Board</a>, “for the purpose of eliminating racial and identity profiling, and improving diversity and racial and identity sensitivity in law enforcement.” (Pen. Code, § 13519.4, subd. (j)(1).) The Advisory Board is required to issue yearly reports containing “detailed findings on the past and current status of racial and identity profiling, and make policy recommendations for eliminating racial and identity profiling.” (Pen. Code, § 13519.4, subd. (j)(3).) The Racial Justice Bureau provides technical, research, and legal support to the Advisory Board. More information about the Advisory Board can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/ab953" target="_blank">here</a>, and the Board's 2023 report can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/ab953/board/reports#current" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h3>Reparations</h3> <strong>The Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans (Task Force)</strong> <p><a href="https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121" target="_blank">Assembly Bill 3121 (AB 3121)</a> was enacted on September 30, 2020 and establishes the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans (Task Force). The Department of Justice, which includes the Racial Justice Bureau, provides administrative, technical, and legal assistance to the Task Force in its imperative work. More information about the Task Force is located <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121" target="_blank">here</a>, and the Task Force's Interim 2022 report can be found <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/ab3121-reparations-interim-report-2022.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2 id="enforcement">Enforcement Areas</h2> <p>The Racial Justice Bureau has broad jurisdiction to enforce all state laws protecting California residents from racial, national origin, and color, discrimination. These include:</p> <ul> <li>California's civil rights laws, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act;</li> <li>The California Fair Employment and Housing Act;</li> <li>The Racial Justice Act;</li> <li>The Racial and Identity Profiling Act;</li> <li>The California Voting Rights Act;</li> <li>The California Education Code;</li> <li>The California Government Code; and</li> <li>The California Constitution.</li> </ul> <p>The Bureau focuses its enforcement and advocacy efforts on several areas, including:</p> <ul> <li>Voting Rights</li> <li>Hate Crimes</li> <li>Law Enforcement</li> <li>Housing</li> <li>Education</li> <li>Employment</li> <li>Business establishments and public services</li> <li>Immigration</li> </ul> <p>The work of the Bureau intersects with many other areas of expertise within the Civil Rights Enforcement Section, including the Bureau of Children's Justice and Disability Rights Bureau. It also converges with the work of other sections within DOJ, including Workers' Rights and Fair Labor, Consumer Protection, and Healthcare Rights and Access. </p> <h2 id="contact">Contacting the Racial Justice Bureau</h2> <p>The Racial Justice Bureau does not handle individual complaints or inquiries. As a result, the Bureau does not represent individuals or provide individuals legal advice. The Bureau is not mandated to pursue cases involving isolated violations of law, matters against state-level public entities, or out-of-state conduct. Instead, the Bureau pursues systemic violations of law by local governmental entities or companies directly impacting the general public or large groups of individuals.</p> <p>If you have a potential matter for the Racial Justice Bureau's consideration, you may contact the Public Inquiry Unit with your inquiry:</p> <ul> <li>Against a business or company: <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company" target="_blank">https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company</a></li> <li>All other inquiries: <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/contact/general-comment-question-or-complaint-form" target="_blank">https://oag.ca.gov/contact/general-comment-question-or-complaint-form</a></li> </ul> <p>The information provided should include as much detail as possible about the facts of the matter. All inquiries will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law.</p> <p>Please note that the Bureau or other staff may follow up to request further information but it cannot respond to every inquiry. The Bureau cannot provide ongoing updates regarding an investigation or litigation, even to individuals who provided information regarding those matters.</p></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>    </section> <aside class="col-sm-3" role="complementary"> <div class="region region-sidebar-second"> <div id="block-block-11" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <h4>Civil Rights Enforcement</h4> <ul class="nav-list"> <li><a href="/civilrights">Civil Rights Home</a></li> <li><a href="/lgbtq">LGBTQ+</a></li> <li><a href="/civil/major-initiatives">Major Initiatives</a></li>  <li><a href="/civil/reports">Resources and Reports</a></li> <li><a href="/civil/preveduc">Prevention and Education</a></li> <li><a href="/bcj">Bureau of Children’s Justice</a></li> <li><a href="/civil/disability-rights">Disability Rights Bureau</a></li> <li><a href="/rjb">Racial Justice Bureau</a></li> <li><a href="/immigrant">Office of Immigrant Assistance</a></li> <li><a href="/civil/underground">Underground Economy Unit</a></li> <li><a href="/ab1887">AB 1887, State-Funded Travel Restrictions</a></li> <li><a href="/ab953">AB 953, Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015</a></li> <li><a href="/ab1287">AB 1287, Gender-Based Price Discrimination in the Sale of Goods</a></li> </ul>  </div> </div> </div> </aside>  </div> </div> <footer class="footer container"> <div class="region region-footer"> <div id="block-block-373" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <div class="row hidden-print"> <div class="container sect-separator"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-1"> <img class="footer-seal" src="/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/seal.png" alt="State of California Department of Justice - 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