§1981 Equal rights under the law

The Public Health and Welfare

Chapter 21 — Civil Rights

(a) Statement of equal rights

All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other.

(b) "Make and enforce contracts" defined

For purposes of this section, the term "make and enforce contracts" includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and conditions of the contractual relationship.

(c) Protection against impairment

The rights protected by this section are protected against impairment by nongovernmental discrimination and impairment under color of State law.

(R.S. Sec. 1977; Pub. L. 102-166, title I, Sec. 101, Nov. 21, 1991, 105 Stat. 1071.)

Codification

R.S. Sec. 1977 derived from act May 31, 1870, ch. 114, Sec. 16, 16 Stat. 144.

Section was formerly classified to section 41 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

Amendments

1991--Pub. L. 102-166 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c).