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Emigration and immigration

Trump Administration's Threat to Cut Funding for Victims of Crime Faced with Lawsuit

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Democratic attorneys general of 21 states, led by Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha, have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to receive federal funding for victims of violent crimes. The complaint, filed in Rhode Island federal court on Monday, argues that the DOJ's threat to cut funding for states that refuse to comply with federal immigration policies is unlawful and will disrupt critical programs for victims and survivors. The Trump administration's actions are seen as a form of retaliation against states that have been deemed "sanctuary jurisdictions," which the DOJ defines as states, cities, and counties that have policies, laws, or regulations that impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit argues that the DOJ's threat to cut funding for states that refuse to comply with federal immigration policies is unlawful and will disrupt critical programs for victims and survivors.
  • The Trump administration's actions are seen as a form of retaliation against states that have been deemed "sanctuary jurisdictions."
  • The lawsuit seeks to stop the DOJ from withholding statutory federal funds under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to states whose officials refuse to comply with federal civil immigration enforcement.
  • The complaint argues that the loss of VOCA funding will result in the sudden and massive disruption of state victim services programs, putting victims and their families at risk.
  • The lawsuit also mentions a separate lawsuit filed by 17 state-level coalitions that help domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, which resulted in a temporary block on the federal government withholding Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants.
  • The Trump administration's threat to cut funding for victims of crime is seen as a major attack on public safety, with Democratic attorneys general labeling it as "the most anti-public safety administration" in modern history.
  • The lawsuit seeks to force the DOJ to remove the strings attached to its federal crime victim funding, and permanently prevent the federal administration from imposing any conditions later.
  • The deadline for states to submit their final applications for federal grants is August 20, with awards expected to be announced by September 30.
  • If the DOJ refuses to award funds to states that do not comply with the Immigration Enforcement Conditions, critical programs for victims and survivors will be irreparably disrupted.

Statistics:

  • $1.4 billion: The amount of federal funding that could be cut off to states in federal fiscal 2025 if the DOJ follows through on its threat.
  • $3.3 million: The amount of federal VOCA funds received by Rhode Island in federal fiscal year 2024.
  • 42,000: The number of violent crime victims and their families helped by Rhode Island's partner nonprofits through VOCA funds in federal fiscal year 2024.
  • $15 billion: The amount of money paid to more than 65,600 claimants who were hurt, became sick, or died from the September 11 attacks since 2011.
  • $1 billion: The direct compensation and support services that victims of crime and their families could lose under federal directives.

Sources:

  • (https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DOJ-Grants-Complaint-FINAL-for-filing-8.18.25.pdf)
  • (https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/welcome)
  • (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-publishes-list-sanctuary-jurisdictions)
  • (https://sourcenm.com/2025/07/16/by-the-s-two-nm-jails-house-record-number-of-ice-detainees/)
  • (https://riag.ri.gov/federal-action-response/our-cases)
  • (https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/08/12/r-i-federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-doj-grant-requirements-for-domestic-violence-services/)
  • (https://riag.ri.gov/what-we-do/support-victims-crime)
  • (https://rhodeislandcurrent.com)

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