About
The Civil Rights Department of CAIR-NY defends the rights of Muslim New Yorkers who experience discrimination on account of their ethnicity, religion or national origin. The department receives complaints ranging from religious accommodation to religious discrimination by institutions. We handle these incidents from intake to logical resolution by pursuing appropriate remedies, including cultural sensitivity training for the offending party and provide concrete recommendations regarding discriminatory policies disproportionately affecting the Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities. Indeed, our expertise in the area of civil rights allows us to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all Americans.
Resources
DHS TRIP Program: The Department of Homeland Security's Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs--like airports and train stations--or while crossing U.S. borders. These could include: denied or delayed airline boarding, denied or delayed entry into and exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border checkpoint continuously referred to additional (secondary) screening.
To find out more about this program please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169673653081.shtm
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Any individual who believes that he or she has experienced discrimination in employment may file a charge with the EEOC in any of its field offices. After investigating the charge, the EEOC determines whether there is "reasonable cause" to believe discrimination has occurred. If "reasonable cause" is found, the EEOC attempts to conciliate the charge by reaching a voluntary resolution between the charging party and the respondent. If conciliation is not successful, the Commission may bring a lawsuit in federal court to remedy the employment discrimination. As part of the administrative process, the EEOC may also issue a Right-to-Sue-Notice to the charging party, allowing the charging party to file an individual action in court.
EEOC New York District Office: 33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10004, Phone: 1-800-669-4000
For more information about the EEOC and filing a complaint, please visit: http://www.eeoc.gov/charge/overview_charge_filing.html
New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR): If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination in the City of New York, you may file a complaint with the Law Enforcement Bureau of the City's Commission on Human Rights. The Law requires that the complaint be filed within one year of the last alleged act of discrimination.
CCHR Manhattan Community Service Center: 40 Rector Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10006, Phone: (212) 306-5070
For more information about the CCHR and filing a complaint, please visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/html/howto.html
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint with HUD.
HUD New York Regional Office: Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3541, New York, New York 10278-0068, Phone: (212) 264-8000
For more information about HUD and filing a complaint, please visit: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm
New York State Division of Human Rights: The New York State Division of Human Rights enforces the Human Rights Law, which affords every citizen "an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life." This law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, and non-sectarian educational institutions, based on age, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military status, and other specified classes.
To file a complaint, please contact your nearest regional office. To locate your nearest office, visit: http://www.dhr.state.ny.us/regional_offices.html
The Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General Office: The Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General Office enforces laws protecting New Yorkers from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status or disability. The Bureau primarily seeks to address patterns, practices and policies of discrimination that affect groups of people. If you believe you are a victim of unlawful discrimination, and that others may have had a similar experience, please mail or fax a complaint form to the Civil Rights Bureau.
New York State Attorney General Office Civil Rights Bureau: 120 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10271-0332, Fax: (212) 416-8074
The complaint form can be found here: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/civil_rights/complaint_forms.html
