Attorneys General Ellison sues DOJ to protect services for crime survivors

October 1, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 21 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 Ellison 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.

"The Trump Administration's attempts to force Minnesota to screen for immigration status before we can help crime victims is wrong, both legally and morally, so we are taking them to court" said Attorney General Ellison. "Crime victims, especially survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, may not have access to the documents they need to verify their immigration status. In fact, denying victims access to important legal documentation is often a tactic used by criminals to continue their abuse. I will not allow the Trump Administration to take vital resources away from crime victims, especially during some of the most difficult moments in their lives."

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.

In the past four years, Minnesota was awarded over $87 million in victim assistance and compensation grants and funding under VOCA. In fiscal year 2024, VOCA funds in Minnesota were used to serve roughly 64,000 individuals, all of whom were either crime victims or witnesses, or family members. The services provided to these individuals are important to their safety and recovery after a crime. Through these funds, survivors are provided services including safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, assistance applying for protective orders, safe housing, transportation, help accessing financial assistance, court-related support, accompaniment to hearings and appointments, support groups, and more.

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 Ellison 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 today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Ellison 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 Ellison in the lawsuit, which was led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington,  Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.