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Federal Coordination and Compliance

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Table of Contents

On August 22, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued a permanent injunction, available at https://perma.cc/24VN-QS9YLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., enjoining the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) from imposing or enforcing its disparate impact requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d (“Title VI”) in the state of Louisiana.  Specifically, DOJ is enjoined from “enforcing the Title VI disparate-impact requirements contained in 40 C.F.R. § 7.35(b), (c) and 28 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)(2) against any entity in the State of Louisiana, or requiring compliance with those requirements as a condition of past, existing, or future awards of financial assistance to any entity in the State of Louisiana.”  DOJ is fully complying with the court’s order.  Unless continued litigation results in changes to the court's order, DOJ will not impose or enforce its Title VI disparate impact requirements in Louisiana. 

All DOJ guidance documents, including those here, are valid and apply to Louisiana except to the extent they explain legal obligations arising under the DOJ or EPA Title VI disparate impact regulatory provisions. All recipients of DOJ financial assistance (including those in the state of Louisiana) have a continuing obligation to comply with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination against or otherwise excluding individuals on the basis of race, color, or national origin, all other Title VI implementing regulations, and all grant terms and conditions.  Recipients must continue to comply with all other applicable nondiscrimination laws and their corresponding implementing regulations.

Disclaimer: Pursuant to Executive Order 14168, issued January 20, 2025, references in documents on this webpage to “gender” should instead be read to reference “sex” consistent with the Executive Order. Any documents on this webpage should be read consistently with Executive Order 14168.

Overview of Title VI

Title VI, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. As President John F. Kennedy said in 1963:

Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races [colors, and national origins] contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or results in racial [color or national origin] discrimination.

If a recipient of federal assistance is found to have discriminated and voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the federal agency providing the assistance should either initiate fund termination proceedings or refer the matter to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal action. Aggrieved individuals may file administrative complaints with the federal agency that provides funds to a recipient, or the individuals may file suit for appropriate relief in federal court. Title VI itself prohibits intentional discrimination. However, most funding agencies have regulations implementing Title VI that prohibit recipient practices that have the effect of discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

Regulations and Statutes

Title VI Materials

Executive Order 12250 authorizes the Department of Justice (the Department) to provide issue guidance and technical assistance to individuals and entities that have rights or responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The guidance documents included below provide informal non-binding guidance to assist you in understanding the Act and the Department’s regulations. 

The guidance documents are not intended to be a final agency action, have no legally binding effect, and have no force or effect of law.  The guidance documents may be rescinded or modified in the Department’s complete discretion, in accordance with applicable laws. The Department’s guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities beyond what is required by the terms of the applicable statutes, regulations, or binding judicial precedent.  For more information, see "Memorandum for All Components: Prohibition of Improper Guidance Documents," from Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions III, November 16, 2017.

Title VI LEP Materials

Disclaimer:  On March 1, 2025, an Executive Order “Designating English as the Official Language of the United States” revoked Executive Order 13166 and directed the Attorney General to rescind any policy guidance documents issued pursuant to EO 13166 and provide updated guidance consistent with applicable law. The Department is currently reviewing guidance documents for compliance with the new Executive Order. The new Executive Order does not “require[] or direct[] any change in the services provided by any agency.”

Updated March 3, 2025