The U.S. Education Department has requested information from the Maricopa County Community College District, and a civil rights organization says the District’s practices are under investigation. 

The Civil Rights Center is a Phoenix-based non-profit. In a press release, they claim the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into the Maricopa Community Colleges last month.

The Civil Rights Center accuses the District of creating a hostile environment for undocumented immigrants and disregarding the civil rights of students and staff.

In a statement, the District confirmed it’s received an information request from the Education Department, and says it will respond in a timely manner and cooperate fully. The Civil Rights Center will hold a press conference on the matter late Thursday morning.

KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.