New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 19 other state prosecutors, is taking action against the Trump administration. They are suing to stop new rules restricting federal funding for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. It targets a recent Justice Department rule preventing states from offering help to survivors who can’t prove their immigration status. James stated, “Sexual assault and domestic violence survivors should never be turned away because of who they are or where they come from.”
The coalition argues that the new rule could also affect lawful residents and U.S. citizens in urgent need of support. Many victims fleeing abusive situations often lack access to crucial legal documents due to their circumstances. Abusers frequently control and limit access to these documents, making it harder for victims to seek help.
The Justice Department and the White House have not yet commented on this lawsuit. Along with James, attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, and other states are involved. They point to a recent speech by Trump where he seemed to downplay domestic violence, saying, “If a man has a little fight with the wife, they say this was a crime.”
This lawsuit follows the Justice Department’s announcement in August that states could no longer use funds from the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and similar programs to assist undocumented immigrants. The new rules are expected to take effect on October 31.
James condemned the Justice Department’s actions, saying, “With this cruel attempt to dictate which survivors deserve access to legal supports, DOJ is endangering families and threatening public safety.”
The attorneys general argue that these restrictions violate the U.S. Constitution by imposing vague conditions on previously awarded funds. They also claim the Justice Department failed to justify this shift in policy, disregarding the needs of survivors and the states that support them.
They are seeking an immediate halt to these restrictions to ensure that all victims have access to necessary protection, regardless of their background.
Recent data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence shows that about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence. This emphasizes the pressing need for comprehensive support for all survivors, particularly in times of crisis.
For further understanding, you can read more about the impact of domestic violence and the services available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
