Justice Department broadens ban on racial profiling

The Justice Department on Monday issued new guidelines to federal law enforcement officers that will regulate their use of racial profiling in investigations, an update to a policy first put in place in 2003 by then-Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft.

The policy is intended to eliminate discrimination without hindering federal inquiries and law enforcement. The old guidelines banned profiling based on race or ethnicity. Now, for the first time, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity are also covered.

But some critics have already complained the new rules don't go far enough and may not change the situation for many people.