A Message From Deeana Jang, Chief of the Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice:
The Federal Coordination and Compliance Section works with advocates, community based organizations and recipients of federal financial assistance to ensure limited English proficient (LEP) individuals are provided meaningful access to government benefits, programs and services as required by Executive Order 13166. On February 17, 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder issued the attached memorandum to all federal agencies, general counsels, and civil rights heads, reaffirming the mandates of Executive Order 13166.
Over ten years ago, Executive Order 13166 required:
1) each federal agency to develop and implement a system by which LEP persons can meaningfully access the agency’s programs and activities; and
2) that each federal agency providing federal financial assistance issue guidance to recipients of such assistance on their legal obligations to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access for LEP persons under the national origin nondiscrimination provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and its implementing regulations.
To ensure full compliance with the mandates of Executive Order 13166, and under the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) coordination authority conferred by Executive Order 12250, the Attorney General has asked each federal agency to join DOJ in recommitting to the implementation of Executive Order 13166 by undertaking several action items detailed in the attached memorandum and supplement.
If you would like more information, please visit the Federal Coordination and Compliance Section website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/cor/ or www.lep.gov.
Thank you for your continued commitment to ensuring that government programs and activities are available and accessible to LEP individuals in your community.
Deeana Jang
Chief
Federal Coordination and Compliance Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
