Sign in Subscribe
Attorneys general

Oregon Attorney General Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Against Trump Administration's VOCA Grant Conditions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Attorney General Dan Rayfield of Oregon has joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in suing the Trump administration over its imposition of conditions on Congressionally-authorized Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. The Trump administration is threatening to cut off access to these critical funds, used nationwide to support victims and survivors of crime, unless states agree to assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration's directive to impose conditions on VOCA grants violates fundamental principles of American governance, including separation of powers and federalism.
  • The VOCA grant program, enacted in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, provides critical services to victims and survivors of crime, including advocacy, emergency shelter, medical expenses, and crime scene cleanup.
  • In Oregon, 146 victim service providers rely on VOCA grants, and face a loss of around $15 million in 2025 under the federal cuts.
  • Nationwide, states use VOCA funds to assist nearly 9 million crime victims every year and to provide compensation for more than 200,000 victims' claims.
  • The lawsuit seeks to block the Administration from implementing or enforcing these unlawful conditions on VOCA grants, which would deny critical services to victims and survivors of crime.
  • The states involved in the lawsuit, including Oregon, California, Colorado, and Washington, rely on VOCA funds to support victims of domestic and sexual violence, among other crimes.
  • Congress has repeatedly acted to protect and sustain VOCA funding, recognizing its importance for survivors.

Statistics:

  • $1 billion: The total amount of VOCA grants the Trump administration is threatening to cut off access to, unless states agree to assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
  • 146: The number of victim service providers in Oregon that rely on VOCA grants and face a loss of around $15 million in 2025.
  • 9 million: The number of crime victims assisted by VOCA funds nationwide every year.
  • 200,000: The number of victims' claims compensated by VOCA funds annually.

Sources:

  • [Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield] Attorney General Dan Rayfield Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Against Trump Administration's Illegal Conditions on Victims of Crime Act Grants
  • Oregon State Representative Tawna Sanchez
  • [Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)] Victims of Crime Act of 1984

Read more