The Department of Justice has fired at least four federal prosecutors who were involved in cases related to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act during the Biden administration, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Among those terminated is Sanjay Patel, a veteran federal prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section. Patel was placed on administrative leave last month before being fired, sources told CBS News.

The FACE Act, enacted in 1994, prohibits the use of force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, or interfere with persons seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services. The law also prohibits damaging or destroying property of reproductive health facilities.

The firings come as the Justice Department continues to handle cases involving protests and activities at abortion clinics and other reproductive health facilities. The Civil Rights Division has been actively prosecuting violations of the FACE Act in recent years.

The terminations appear to be part of broader personnel changes within the Justice Department, though officials have not provided detailed explanations for the specific dismissals. The Civil Rights Division oversees enforcement of federal civil rights laws, including those protecting access to reproductive healthcare facilities.