DOJ announces investigation into City of Austin’s employment practices

The Justice Department is investigating Austin for alleged discriminatory employment practices.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday it has launched an investigation into the city of Austin’s alleged discriminatory employment practices.

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is investigating whether the city has engaged in race-based employment practices that would violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. 

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who leads the division, said the department intends to hold accountable those who use discriminatory practices or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in Austin and other cities.

The division also said they promote guidance recommending “clear racial equity expectations regarding hiring,” applying “stronger racial equity criteria to the design and execution of executive-level searches.” 

The City of Austin said it is aware of the DOJ’s investigation into whether the city is complying with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“We are confident that the City is in full compliance with the law,” the city said in a statement to KVUE.

Mayor Kirk Watson also addressed the investigation in a post on X, saying he believes Austin’s employment practices attract “highly qualified public servants who care deeply about our entire community and bring their unique characteristics to the jobs they do.”

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said in a post on X that Austin’s “hiring practices are merit-based, lawful and designed to hire the best candidates.”