Attorney General Clark Joins Coalition Suing DOJ to Protect Services for Crime Victims

Attorney General Charity Clark today 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 the District of Rhode Island, challenges a rule barring states from using Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funds to provide services to undocumented immigrants, or other individuals who cannot prove their status. Attorney General Clark and the coalition argue that the new policy is unconstitutional and are asking the court to stop the rule from taking effect in their states.

"My office has first-hand experience supporting victims of crime in accessing these programs, and I am suing to protect this funding for all Vermonters who need it, regardless of their immigration status," said Attorney General Clark. "These programs make entire communities safer and more resilient."

For decades, the VOCA and VAWA grant programs have enabled states to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. The grants fund services such as legal representation in family court, relocation and housing assistance, compensation for medical bills and funeral costs, and other civil legal services. Byrne JAG grants provide additional resources to state and local governments for criminal justice initiatives, including - in some states - support for public defenders. In their lawsuit, the attorneys general emphasize that all three programs have long been available to all eligible individuals, regardless of immigration status. Consistent with federal regulations, Vermont and its subgrantees do not screen participants in these programs for their immigration status, and the new "unallowable cost" provisions challenged in this suit would substantially reduce the impact of Vermont's crime victim support programs, while increasing the administrative burden on Vermont.

Last month, DOJ informed 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 not only to future funding, but also to grants already awarded, and is scheduled to take effect on October 31, 2025.

Attorney General Clark and the coalition warn that the new restrictions will upend victim services programs, cut off critical resources, and discourage survivors from seeking help. If service providers have to screen victims' or witnesses' immigration status, they could be forced to deny protection to families in crisis - a policy that would ultimately silence survivors and erode trust between communities and law enforcement. The attorneys general also highlight the fact that many service providers do not have the capacity or resources necessary to enact such screening processes.

In Vermont, VOCA Victim Assistance and Victim Compensation funds are used for a broad range of services, including Child Advocacy Centers, Domestic and Sexual Assault program, restorative justice programming, legal services for crime victims, and a victim advocate who supports human trafficking violations.

In today's lawsuit, Attorney General Clark and the coalition argue that DOJ's new restrictions violate the Constitution's Spending Clause by attaching retroactive and ambiguous conditions to grants that were already awarded, in some cases years ago. The attorneys general also assert that DOJ acted in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to justify its reversal of decades-long policy and by ignoring the harm the rule will cause to survivors and service providers.

Joining Attorney General Clark in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

A copy of the lawsuit is available here .

This lawsuit is the twenty-ninth case overall that Attorney General Clark has brought against the Trump Administration since President Trump took office in January. For more information on actions taken by the Attorney General on behalf of Vermonters, visit our website at ago.vermont.gov/ago-actions .

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171