By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday that the state has joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, aiming to block new restrictions on how federal funds can be used to support crime victims.
According to a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office, the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Rhode Island, challenges a new DOJ rule that bars states from using VOCA, Byrne JAG, and VAWA grant money to provide services to undocumented immigrants or individuals unable to prove their immigration status.
Platkin said the policy undermines public safety and harms victims.
“When someone is the victim of a violent crime, they deserve assistance and support to recover, no matter their legal status,” he stated, arguing that withholding help could discourage victims from coming forward and weaken efforts to hold offenders accountable.
The coalition argues that the rule violates the U.S. Constitution’s Spending Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act by imposing retroactive, unclear conditions on long-standing grant programs.
They also warn it will strip critical resources from victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes.
The lawsuit was led by attorneys general from New York, Colorado, Illinois, and Rhode Island, with New Jersey and 16 other states and the District of Columbia joining the challenge.