New York Attorney General Letitia James won a decisive legal victory on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, safeguarding critical services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally agreed to rescind restrictions that threatened to block access to federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds for survivors who cannot immediately prove their immigration status.
The dispute began last month when Attorney General James joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the DOJ’s “Legal Services Condition,” which would have prevented states from using VOCA and VAWA grants to provide legal assistance to undocumented survivors.
The restriction applied not only to new grants but retroactively to previously awarded funds. Experts warned that requiring proof of immigration status could endanger survivors, many of whom may lack documentation, while creating legal burdens for service providers who typically do not verify status.
“This is a major victory for survivors,” James said in a statement. “People seeking protection from violence deserve our support, not sabotage. My office will always do everything in its power to defend their rights.”
VOCA and VAWA programs are foundational to state efforts to support survivors, funding services such as legal representation for protective orders, child custody and visitation matters, housing assistance, and rape crisis centers. These programs are designed to reach all survivors, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, to ensure public safety and encourage reporting of crimes without fear.
Under the binding resolution reached with DOJ, the previously imposed restrictions will not be applied to any current VOCA or VAWA grant awards. As a result, James and the coalition have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit without prejudice, preserving the ability to refile if DOJ attempts to reinstate the policy.
In New York alone, this decision protects critical services for more than one million survivors who relied on VOCA- and VAWA-funded programs last year. The coalition of attorneys general representing other states—including California, Illinois, Texas, and Maryland—played a central role in challenging the DOJ’s overreach.
The case underscores Attorney General James’ continued commitment to defending the rights of vulnerable communities, particularly immigrants and survivors of violence, against policies that threaten access to justice.
“This resolution ensures survivors can continue to rely on vital legal and social services regardless of immigration status,” James said. “It is a reaffirmation that our legal system must protect the most vulnerable, not place additional barriers in their path.”
The DOJ did not issue a separate statement but confirmed the agency will comply with the agreement.
This ruling marks a significant moment in national efforts to maintain access to life-saving services for survivors while reinforcing that federal agencies cannot impose conditions that undermine the intent of Congress’s victims’ protection programs.
