In a significant move that has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, the civil rights unit at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has been disbanded after nearly a decade.
Jennifer A. Serafyn, the former chief of this unit, described her role as a privilege and an honor.
Massachusetts holds a historical reputation as a leader in civil rights, dating back to the abolition movement and extending through the fight for marriage equality.
The removal of this unit, according to Serafyn, leaves a considerable void that community organizations and advocates will find challenging to fill.
The core mission of the civil rights unit was to enforce federal civil rights laws across Massachusetts, ensuring equal treatment for individuals regardless of their race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Serafyn emphasized that the unit did not operate under a political agenda.
“Our guiding principle was simple: Protect all the rights, for all the people, all the time,” she stated.
This approach aligns with the mandates of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which calls for equal application of the laws.
Serafyn noted that their work transcended the political spectrum, as they operated independently of the political party in power at the White House.
Throughout its existence, the unit assisted under US attorneys from both Democratic and Republican administrations, overseeing a wide range of vital cases.
Among their achievements was the initial federal finding of sexual misconduct by police officers against the Worcester Police Department.
They also made strides in disability rights, achieving a landmark settlement involving discrimination based on medication for opioid use disorder—an essential issue for Massachusetts facing an opioid crisis.
Furthermore, the unit investigated race discrimination and harassment cases, such as those reported at Boston Latin School.
The success and productivity of this unit positioned it as one of the leading civil rights enforcement teams within the 94 US attorney’s offices across the nation.
Following President Donald Trump’s election in 2016, US Attorney Andrew Lelling, appointed by Trump, approved nearly all civil rights investigations proposed by the unit.
Under Lelling’s leadership, the civil rights unit conducted the only police misconduct investigation during Trump’s first term, demonstrating the belief that law enforcement operations should remain apolitical.
However, the recent decision to dismantle the civil rights unit has come against the backdrop of a broader transformation within the Department of Justice’s civil rights division, where approximately 70% of its attorneys have reportedly departed.
Similar actions have taken place in other jurisdictions, such as the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, which also disbanded their civil rights division.
While every presidential administration has distinct priorities, and US attorneys typically follow the directions of the attorney general, Serafyn notes that certain fundamental civil rights protections should not be discarded.
She explained that it’s challenging to envision a US attorney disbanding a drug unit or a public corruption unit, suggesting that the civil rights unit’s work is equally critical.
Massachusetts does boast excellent advocacy organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the NAACP, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the state attorney general’s office continues to have a strong civil rights division.
However, as Serafyn pointed out, none of these entities hold the unique federal enforcement powers.
Certain legal provisions lack a private right of action, implying that only the federal government can undertake investigations or lawsuits under those laws.
While there may be state analogs to federal statutes, they do not operate as exact replicas, creating gaps that the state attorney general’s office cannot conclusively fill.
The federal government retains exclusive authority to investigate police departments for patterns or practices of misconduct.
While lawsuits can be pursued against individual officers, only the Department of Justice can enforce comprehensive input and reforms across entire police departments.
One illustrative case involved an investigation into Springfield’s police department, which sought to overhaul systemic issues rather than address isolated incidents.
Similarly, the DOJ also holds the exclusive capacity to investigate school desegregation matters.
When evidence of racial harassment and discrimination surfaced at Boston Latin School, the US Attorney’s Office possessed the ability to enforce federal mandates for systemic change that private organizations could not dictate.
Serafyn has personally witnessed the gains achieved when the federal government prioritized civil rights initiatives throughout her tenure.
This commitment conveyed a powerful message from the US Attorney’s Office: equality matters, and resources would be allocated to protect the rights of all.
The trust established with the community—especially the most vulnerable members—has taken years to create, and Serafyn warns that its erosion could have long-lasting effects.
After serving as an assistant US attorney, Serafyn expressed her heartbreak upon leaving the position, noting that her colleagues within the Civil Rights Unit have either departed or been reassigned.
As her official tenure came to a close on September 30, Serafyn acknowledged that many ongoing investigations would likely dissolve or fade away.
For individuals whose civil rights may be violated, she conveyed a somber reality: there may now be no one at the federal level to call for assistance.
Despite these setbacks, Serafyn remains hopeful regarding the future of civil rights enforcement.
She asserts that the fight for equality does not rest solely on one office or one administration; rather, it depends on a network of community members, lawyers, advocates, and educators.
In the absence of a federal commitment, the responsibility now lies with individuals and organizations advocating for fairness and justice that every citizen deserves.
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