Washington and 19 other states are suing the U.S. Department of Justice to stop new rules affecting federal funding. The rules could limit grants that support survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. The funding comes from programs such as the Victims of Crime Act, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and the Violence Against Women Act, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
Attorney General Nick Brown and other state attorneys general are challenging a U.S. Department of Justice rule that stops states from using federal grants to help undocumented immigrants and others who cannot confirm their status. Brown said, "The president wants to turn legal service providers who help victims of crimes into an extension of ICE.” He added, “This is illegal and against the will of Congress. I’m confident the court will see through his administration’s attempt to once again hold funding hostage for political reasons." Programs like Victims of Crime Act, Violence Against Women Act, and Byrne Justice Assistance Grants have traditionally helped all eligible individuals, providing legal support, relocation assistance, and coverage for medical and funeral costs. The DOJ’s new "Legal Services Condition," starting October 31, also applies to grants already given, affecting funds in Washington that go through the state Department of Commerce to agencies serving survivors in several counties, as reported by the Office of the Attorney General.
A group of states is suing over a new federal rule that requires checking immigration status for certain service recipients. They say many service providers cannot carry out these checks. The Department of Justice is also criticized for possibly breaking the Constitution’s Spending Clause by adding unclear grant conditions and not following rules under the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit is led by attorneys general from New York, Colorado, Illinois, and Rhode Island and includes 20 other states and the District of Columbia. The case focuses on how the rule could affect federal funding for services to survivors, as stated by the Office of the Attorney General.
