Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has successfully challenged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), securing an agreement that prevents the imposition of restrictions on services that are vital for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. This deal culminates after Campbell, leading a 20-state coalition, filed a lawsuit against the DOJ over its efforts to limit legal aid based on immigration status. According to Mass.gov, the DOJ has now recanted its stance and will maintain accessibility to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds for all survivors, irrespective of their immigration status.
"Faced with our lawsuit, the federal government has rightly decided to drop their cruel and unlawful restrictions on essential services that help victims of violent crime navigate their trauma and get back on their feet," AG Campbell affirmed in a statement obtained by Mass.gov. Campbell's determined effort hinges on the principle that support for victims should not be conditional. Her groundwork has led to the DOJ's acquiescence, ensuring federal funds remain available to those in need.
The VAWA and VOCA grants have long underpinned the state's ability to assist survivors with a variety of services, including legal assistance for protective orders and custody disputes, as well as support for housing relocation. The provision of these services has been deliberately designed to cater to every eligible survivor. In October, the coalition responded to a notification by the DOJ that states would be barred from employing VAWA or VOCA funding to support undocumented immigrants, which prompted the lawsuit. Service providers, who do not check for immigration status would have faced an undue burden under the challenging restriction.
AG Campbell and the plaintiffs have subsequently agreed to dismiss their lawsuit without prejudice, retaining the option to file anew if the DOJ seeks to reinstate the contested restriction. This resolution follows a separate, successful legal challenge against the current DOJ, which abandoned a scheme to impose further illegal conditions on nearly $1.4 billion in VOCA funds. As a result, survivors across states, from Arizona to New York and beyond, represented by their respective attorneys general, will continue to receive unhindered support during their most trying times.
For more details on AG Campbell's efforts and the implications of the legal agreement, see the original report at Mass.gov.
