New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Justice will lift illegal conditions on more than $1.3 billion in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants.
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration had sought to block Democrat-run states from accessing these funds unless they assisted with federal immigration enforcement. Platkin led a coalition of 20 attorneys general, challenging the move in court.
“When the Trump Administration recklessly attempted to mistreat victims of crime in New Jersey and across the country, we took action and led a 20 Attorney General coalition to ensure continued funding under the Victims of Crime Act,” Platkin said. He added that the DOJ’s agreement “will ensure that advocacy services, sexual assault forensic exams, medical and funeral expenses, and other critical resources for victims of crimes will continue to be available.”
You can read the full statement here.
What Is VOCA?
The VOCA program, created in 1984, provides states with funding for victim and witness advocacy, emergency shelter, medical and funeral costs, crime scene cleanup and sexual assault exams. These funds assist nearly 9 million victims nationwide each year, covering more then 200,000 claims.
The DOJ had previously conditioned $178 million in Victim Assistance grants and $1.2 billion in Victim Compensation grants on state cooperation with immigration enforcement. Those conditions have been removed as a result of the lawsuit.
New Jersey co-led the lawsuit with California, Delaware, Illinois, and Rhode Island. Attorneys general from 15 other states and the District of Columbia joined the effort.
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