Federal states dispute funds allocated for crime victims' assistance
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing a legal challenge from a coalition of 21 attorneys general, including New York's Letitia James, over new conditions that link federal crime victims' funding to state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The lawsuit, which also includes attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and New York, aims to preserve VOCA funding for victim services nationwide.
Created more than 40 years ago, VOCA provides support for crime survivors through medical care, counseling, emergency shelter, lost wages, and funeral costs. In 2025, states will receive nearly $1.4 billion in VOCA funds, supporting about 10 million victims annually.
In New York alone, over $212 million supports over 250 community-based programs. These programs include domestic violence shelters, rape crisis hotlines, child advocacy centers, and specialized services for seniors and people with disabilities.
The coalition argues that accepting the DOJ's conditions would undermine state public safety policies designed to ensure immigrant communities feel safe reporting crimes. They contend that losing VOCA funding would devastate services, forcing many programs to shut down or turn survivors away.
The challenge also argues that the DOJ's conditions exceed its statutory authority, violate the Constitution's Spending Clause, and undermine state public safety policies. The coalition asserts that the DOJ's actions are unlawful and could destroy trust between immigrant communities and the legal system.
New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that the grants were created to help survivors heal and recover, and she will fight to ensure they continue to serve that purpose. She emphasised that the grants should not be used as a tool for immigration enforcement.
The DOJ has yet to comment on the lawsuit. However, the coalition is asking the court to block the DOJ's conditions and preserve VOCA funding for victim services nationwide. The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for crime victims and the services they rely on.
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