20 States and D.C. Challenge Trump’s Administration Over Immigration Enforcement Tied to Crime Victim Grants

Twenty states and the District of Columbia are suing the Justice Department. They challenge a new immigration rule linked to federal grants that help crime victims. This rule is seen as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on “sanctuary states.”

The lawsuit targets the Office for Victims of Crime, which distributes over $1 billion annually to support services like crisis counseling and shelters. The new rule denies funding to any program that does not comply with federal immigration laws. This includes requirements for sharing information with the Department of Homeland Security.

The states argue that this rule is not supported by the original law that created victim assistance programs, which does not mention immigration enforcement. They contend that the conditions force them into a difficult position: to either give up vital resources for crime victims or comply with federal immigration rules.

Mostly Democratic states, including California, New York, and Illinois, have joined the lawsuit. They claim to have received over $500 million in grants since 2021. They are requesting a federal judge to block these new rules, as applications for these grants are due soon.

The Justice Department hasn’t commented on the lawsuit. However, the Trump administration has been focusing on sanctuary cities, which restrict local police cooperation with federal immigration law. Since taking office, Trump signed an executive order to limit federal funding to these jurisdictions.

Advocates for sanctuary policies argue that requiring local law enforcement to work with federal agents can harm trust in immigrant communities. This lawsuit highlights concerns that these new funding conditions could damage that crucial relationship.

In a broader context, earlier this year, the Justice Department cut funding for various programs, including those supporting hate crime victims. Nonprofits that rely on this funding expressed worry about laying off staff or closing their services.

New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed strong disapproval of the Justice Department’s approach, stating that using victim funds to force compliance on immigration is unacceptable.

This situation echoes historical tensions between federal and local governments regarding immigration enforcement. As societal attitudes toward immigration continue to evolve, the implications of these legal battles could significantly impact support for vulnerable populations.

For more insight, you can explore this report by CBS News.

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