Related topics: Title VI Guidance for Recipients | Language Access Planning | Commonly Asked Questions
Overview
Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," (English | Español ) was signed on August 11, 2000 and requires Federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), and develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them. It is expected that agency plans will provide for such meaningful access consistent with, and without unduly burdening, the fundamental mission of the agency. The Executive Order also requires that the Federal agencies work to ensure that recipients of Federal financial assistance provide meaningful access to their LEP applicants and beneficiaries.
To assist Federal agencies in carrying out these responsibilities, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a Policy Guidance Document, "Enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - National Origin Discrimination Against Persons With Limited English Proficiency" (2002 LEP Guidance). This LEP Guidance sets forth the compliance standards that recipients of Federal financial assistance must follow to ensure that their programs and activities normally provided in English are accessible to LEP persons and thus do not discriminate on the basis of national origin in violation of Title VI's prohibition against national origin discrimination.
- Memorandum to Federal Agencies from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to Strengthen Access for People with LEP- November 21, 2022
- Message from Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke: Marking the 21st Anniversary of Executive Order 13166 - August 31, 2021 (Español)
- Commonly Asked Questions and Answers Regarding Executive Order 13166
- Overview of Executive Order 13166, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
General Information
Department of Justice Issues EO 13166 Accomplishments Report "Advancing Meaningful Access for Limited English Proficient Persons" - December 18, 2015
Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs - May 9, 2011, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Common Language Access Questions, Technical Assistance, and Guidance for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs (PDF), August 15, 2011
Background and Questions and Answers Regarding the October 26, 2001 DOJ Clarifying Memorandum Regarding Limited English Proficiency and Executive Order 13166, October 31, 2001
District Court Upholds Suspension of Bankruptcy Trustee for Failing to Comply with Agency's Language Access Plan, Memorandum and Order, Pereira v. U.S. Department of Justice, 16 CIV 2599 (S.D.N.Y.,May 11, 2016)
For Recipients
Assistant Attorney General Boyd letter to recipients of DOJ assistance offering assistance in implementing LEP guidance, December 13, 2002
Civil Rights Division Communication to State Courts Regarding Language Access, August 16, 2010 | Press Release
For Federal Agencies
Memorandum to Federal Agencies from Attorney Merrick B. Garland to Strengthen Access for People with LEP- November 21, 2022
- DOJ Press Release (English)
- (Arabic) - وزير العدل ميريك غارلاند يصدر مذكرة تدعو لتحسين الوصول إلى الخدمات للأفراد محدودي الكفاءة في اللغة الانجليزية
- 司法部长梅里克·加兰发布一份备忘录以改善英语能力有限人士获得服务的机会 - (Chinese – Simplified)
- 司法部長梅裏克·加蘭發佈一份備忘錄以改善英语能力有限人士獲得服務的機會 - (Chinese – Traditional)
- 메릭 갈랜드 미 법무부 장관은 영어 미숙자들이 보다 쉽게 정부 서비스를 접할 수 있도록 개선하는 노력을 각 기관에 요청하였습니다 - (Korean)
- El fiscal general Merrick Garland emite un memorando para mejorar el acceso a servicios por parte de personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado - (Spanish)
- Ang Pangunahing Abogado na si Merrick Garland ay naglathala nang isang Panandaan upang Mapabuti ang Daan ng mga Paglilingkod para sa Mga Taong may Limitadong Kasanayan sa Ingles - (Tagalog)
- Tổng Chưởng Lý Merrick Garland đưa ra bản ghi nhớ nhằm cải thiện việc tiếp cận các dịch vụ cho những người có trình độ Anh ngữ hạn chế - (Vietnamese)
Memorandum to Federal Agencies from Attorney General Eric Holder Reaffirming the Mandates of Executive Order 13166, February 17, 2011
- Memorándum para las Agencias federales de parte del Fiscal general, Eric Holder, que reafirma los mandatos del Decreto ejecutivo 13166. 17 de febrero de 2011. (Spanish)
- В Меморандуме, разосланном федеральным ведомствам от имени Министра юстиции Эрика Холдера, дается повторное подтверждение поручений, содержащихся в Приказе Президента № 13166 – 17 февраля 2011 г (Russian)
- 司法部長 Eric Holder 致聯邦機構的備忘錄,重申第 13166 號行政命令 – 2011 年 2 月 17 日 (Simplified Chinese)
- 에릭 홀더 미 법무장관이 대통령 행정 명령 13166의 지시를 재천명하며 연방기관에 보내는 메모 – 2011년 2월 17일 (Korean)
- Thông tư gửi các Cơ quan Liên bang của Tổng Chưởng lý Eric Holder Tái phê chuẩn Sắc lệnh Hành pháp 13166 (Mandates of Executive Order 13166) – 17 tháng 2 năm 2011 (Vietnamese)
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Assistant Attorney General Boyd Memorandum to Heads of Federal Grants Agencies, General Counsels and Civil Rights Directors on Executive Order 13166, January 11, 2002
Assistant Attorney General Boyd Memorandum to Heads of Federal Grants Agencies, General Counsels and Civil Rights Directors on Executive Order 13166 (HTML) (PDF), October 26, 2001