Attorney General Phil Weiser sues DOJ to protect services for survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes

Attorney General Phil Weiser sues DOJ to protect services for survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes

Oct. 1, 2025 (DENVER) - Attorney General Phil Weiser today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice 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 Rhode Island, challenges a rule barring states from using Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funds to provide services to undocumented immigrants, or other individuals who cannot prove their status. Attorney General Weiser 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.

"Today, we filed this lawsuit to fight for important federal funds that support victims of some of the most heinous crimes committed. The DOJ's new restrictions will upend victim services programs, cut off critical resources, and discourage survivors from seeking help. And restricting these grants will make our communities less safe. We must do all we can to support and honor crime victims," said Attorney General Weiser.

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.

Colorado has received millions in grants from these programs to support crime victims. Since 2021the state received more than $100 million in VOCA Assistance Program funds. Additionally, from 2022 to 2024, Colorado received nearly $9 million in VAWA grants to strengthen the criminal justice system's response to violence against women, and approximately $2.5 million to support nonprofit organizations that provide direct services for sexual assault victims.

Last month, the Justice Department informed states that they could no longer use these 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. In their lawsuit, the attorneys general emphasize that all three programs have long been available to all eligible individuals, regardless of immigration status.

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 Weiser and the coalition argue that Justice Department's new restrictions violate the U.S. 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 the federal government 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.

Attorney General Weiser, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha are leading the lawsuit. Joining them are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Read the lawsuit (PDF).

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Media Contact: Lawrence Pacheco Chief Communications Officer (720) 508-6553 office [email protected]