New Jersey attorney general joins multistate lawsuit challenging DOJ funding restrictions for crime victims
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday that he has joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to block new restrictions on federal funding that supports survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, challenges a DOJ rule that bars states from using funds from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to provide services to undocumented immigrants or others who cannot prove their legal status. Platkin and the coalition argue that the new policy is unconstitutional and are asking the court to stop the rule from taking effect.
“When someone is the victim of a violent crime, they deserve assistance and support to recover, no matter their legal status,” Platkin said. “Not only is it the right thing to do, but it helps ensure we can hold violent perpetrators accountable. Now, because of the Trump Administration’s illegal actions, victims of crimes may go without the support they need and that federal law entitles them to—undermining their security and our law enforcement efforts. We are not going to stand by as this Administration attacks services for those who have already gone through terrible traumas and who need all of the help they can get. We are standing up for all of our residents to protect them and to ensure that they feel safe reaching out to law enforcement if they are in danger, and we are taking this Administration to court again.”
For decades, VOCA and VAWA grant programs have enabled states to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. The funds help pay for expenses such as emergency shelter, sexual assault kits, and funeral costs, as well as legal services to assist survivors in navigating the justice system.
Last month, DOJ notified states that they could no longer use VOCA, VAWA, or Byrne JAG funds to provide legal services to undocumented immigrants. The new “Legal Services Condition” applies both to future grants and those already awarded, and is scheduled to take effect Oct. 31, 2025.
Platkin and the other attorneys general say the restrictions will disrupt victim services programs, cut off critical resources, and discourage survivors from seeking help. They warn that requiring service providers to screen victims’ immigration status could force them to deny assistance to families in crisis and erode trust between communities and law enforcement.
The lawsuit argues that the DOJ’s new conditions violate the Constitution’s Spending Clause by attaching retroactive and ambiguous requirements to grants already issued. The attorneys general also contend the department acted in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to justify its reversal of longstanding policy and by disregarding the potential harm to survivors and service providers.
The coalition is led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha. Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia also joined the suit.
