Human Rights | AustinTexas.gov

Human Rights Division

Who We Are

The Human Rights Division is within the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The Human Rights Division advances the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Austinites through a proactive, human-centered approach grounded in dignity, safety, and belonging. Its mission is to support a city where all residents, regardless of background or identity, are free from discrimination and able to fully participate in public life. The division centers communities whose needs are often underserved - such as immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA+ residents, people with disabilities (ADA), veterans, justice-impacted individuals, to list a few.

What We Do

The Human Rights Division's work focuses on expanding access to services, promoting inclusion, and eliminating systemic barriers to opportunity. Through programs and critical initiatives, residents are informed of their rights, connected to essential resources and benefits, and equipped to navigate complex systems - particularly amid an evolving political landscape. The transition of the citywide “We All Belong” campaign under the division’s leadership reinforces this mission by fostering inclusive civic engagement and cultivating a shared sense of belonging across all communities.

Join In

Learn more about how The Human Rights Division is supporting our diverse community!

Immigrant Affairs

The Human Rights Division supports our immigrant and refugee populations in many ways.

Citizenship Clinics and Information Sessions: Twice a year, we partner with immigration attorneys and organizations to provide a Citizenship Clinic and information sessions. We host multiple sessions to help people understand if they are eligible for naturalization, and we connect people with resources they might need like documents needed to apply for naturalization and organizations that might be able to help.
Welcoming Week
Immigration Policy Updates

Veterans Affairs

The Human Rights Division is designed to improve the support and well-being of the veteran community through education, outreach, and community engagement. Together with other organizations and community partners we:

Foster collaboration among service providers and government agencies
Educate and provide awareness about veterans' rights and resources
Enhance and expand available resources and services for veterans, surviving spouses and dependent
Provide Staff Liaison and Executive Liaison support for the Commission on Veterans Affairs

See the Veteran Resource Directory to find further resources and support.

To learn more about the improvement and support of the Veteran community, email Jesus Simental at jesus.simental@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-7742.

We All Belong

The Human Rights Division will take the lead on the City's 'We All Belong' initiative starting on October 1st, 2025. The Austin City Council adopted the 2025-26 budget in early August, 2025. The budget included:

"Bolstering inclusive engagement and our commitment to foster a community where all identities are respected.

Establishing a Human Rights Division in the office of Equity and Inclusion.
$150,000 for We All Belong, a public campaign against hate crimes and incidents."

More information coming soon!

Individuals with Disabilities

The Austin City Council adopted the 2025-26 budget in early August, 2025. The budget included:

"Bolstering inclusive engagement and our commitment to foster a community where all identities are respected.

Establishing a Human Rights Division in the office of Equity and Inclusion.
$250,000 to develop the American Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan to improve accessibility in public places."

More information coming soon!