21 States Sue DOJ Over Restrictions on Federal Crime Victim Funding

A coalition of 21 state attorneys general, including Washington, New York, and Vermont, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block new restrictions that prohibit using federal grants under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG) to provide legal services to undocumented immigrants. The coalition argues these restrictions violate the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act, and warn the policy undermines established victim services by potentially silencing survivors and disrupting programs that have long supported victims regardless of immigration status. The DOJ's rule, set to take effect on October 31, 2025, applies retroactively to already awarded grants and requires service providers to screen victims' immigration status, raising concerns that it may erode trust between communities and law enforcement. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has sought to enforce sweeping grant funding conditions that cut off support for programs aiding victims regardless of gender identity or immigration status, prompting several lawsuits. Amid a federal government shutdown, DOJ lawyers have requested courts to pause litigation on these cases, citing reduced agency workforce capacity to manage ongoing legal battles. Advocates and states contend that these funding restrictions threaten vital services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes.