BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland’s Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown, has allied with a group of 20 state attorneys general to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) aimed at preventing new federal regulations that would eliminate victim services for undocumented immigrants, including those who have experienced domestic violence and other serious crimes.
The legal action, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, challenges a recently implemented DOJ policy that prohibits states from utilizing essential federal grants to provide specific legal services for individuals unable to verify their immigration status. This regulation affects funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) programs — all of which have been crucial for victim assistance and support within the criminal justice system.
“Every survivor of violence, regardless of their immigration status, deserves to feel safe and supported,” said Attorney General Brown. “This unlawful policy forces victims to choose between seeking help and risking deportation.”
“The Trump Administration continues to push forward policies that make our communities less safe,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “U.S. DOJ’s vague new condition would force organizations to upend their services knowing they still could very well fail to meet U.S. DOJ’s impossible demands and end up in the Trump Administration’s crosshairs. I wish President Trump would stop creating problems where there are none — and focus his energy on policies that actually reduce crime and protect public safety. I’m grateful to the dozens of organizations and program across California that use this funding to provide legal services and support to victims of crime, and in doing so, also help bring the perpetrators of those crimes to justice.”
“Today, we filed this lawsuit to fight for important federal funds that support victims of some of the most heinous crimes committed. The DOJ’s new restrictions will upend victim services programs, cut off critical resources, and discourage survivors from seeking help. And restricting these grants will make our communities less safe. We must do all we can to support and honor crime victims,” said Colorado Attorney General Weiser.
The DOJ’s new “Legal Services Condition” is set to take effect on October 31, 2025, and applies not just to new grants, but also to those already awarded—some as far back as several years ago. The attorneys general argue the rule is unlawful, unconstitutional, and a drastic departure from decades of DOJ practice.
Decades-Long Programs at Risk
The VOCA, VAWA, and Byrne JAG programs fund services such as:
- Legal representation in family court
- Housing and relocation support
- Medical and funeral cost compensation
- Civil legal services for victims and, in some states, public defender support
Maryland’s Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown, has allied with a group of 20 state attorneys general to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) aimed at preventing new federal regulations that would eliminate victim services for undocumented immigrants, including those who have experienced domestic violence and other serious crimes.
Historically, these services have been accessible to all victims, irrespective of their immigration status. However, the new DOJ regulation would require victim service providers to verify immigration status, which could result in families in crisis being denied assistance.
Chilling Effect on Survivors
Advocates and legal professionals caution that this policy will deter victims from seeking help, particularly within immigrant communities, thereby jeopardizing public safety and hindering law enforcement initiatives.
“These restrictions don’t just silence survivors – they also put entire communities at risk,” said Brown.
“All victims of violent crime deserve support regardless of their immigration status. The Trump Administration’s attempt to prevent certain individuals – who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or any other horrific crime – from receiving assistance is cruel and senseless,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in pushing back against these unlawful restrictions, and I will continue fighting to protect all Massachusetts residents.”
“Throughout my time as Illinois’ Attorney General, my office has worked diligently to enhance services that support survivors of crime, but this new DOJ restriction would frustrate those efforts,” Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “I will continue working to protect federal funding for programs survivors of violent crimes rely upon to help them recover from the physical and emotional trauma they have endured.”
Service providers, many of which lack the infrastructure to verify immigration status, could be forced to turn away victims or shut down programs altogether. In doing so, the coalition argues, the DOJ risks destroying decades of work to build trust between marginalized communities and the justice system.
In the filing, the attorneys general argue that:
- The DOJ violated the Constitution’s Spending Clause by imposing retroactive and ambiguous conditions on already-awarded grants.
- The rule breaches the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to justify the policy shift or consider its real-world impact on survivors and providers.
Broad Coalition Pushback
Joining Attorney General Brown in the lawsuit are the attorneys general from: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
This coalition is pursuing an injunction to prevent the DOJ’s rule from being implemented, aiming to safeguard vital victim services throughout their states. As the October 31 deadline approaches, victim service agencies find themselves in a race against time. Advocates warn that if the DOJ’s rule is enacted, it could dismantle programs that support survivors, particularly in communities that are already struggling with access to legal aid and public safety resources.
“Victims of violence should not be denied help based on who they are or where they were born,” said Brown. “This fight is about protecting the vulnerable and upholding justice for all.”
“When someone is the victim of a violent crime, they deserve assistance and support to recover, no matter their legal status,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “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.”
“Sexual assault and domestic violence survivors turn to our courts for safety and protection. They should never be turned away because of who they are or where they come from,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “With this cruel attempt to dictate which survivors deserve access to legal supports, DOJ is endangering families, silencing survivors, and threatening public safety. I will not stand idly by while the federal government unjustly attacks people seeking protection from violence. We are asking the court to block this illegal rule before it takes effect, immeasurably harming survivors.”
