Oregon Faces $15 Million Loss in Crime Victim Aid as Trump Pressures States on Immigration
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s attempts to impose illegal conditions on grants under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) yesterday, following the administration’s threats to cut off funding- unless states agree to assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Oregon Opposes Trump’s Threat To Cut Off Funding Unless States Help ICE
Joining 21 attorneys general in the lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to block access to over $1 billion for victims and survivors of crimes, Rayfield confirmed that the attempts to cut off access to these critical funds unless states agree to assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts are unlawful.
Attorney General Dan Rayfield said, “This is yet another attempt to place unlawful conditions on federal funds coming into Oregon to advance the President’s unpopular agenda, this time at the expense of crime victims and survivors.”
Enacted in 1984 under then-President Ronald Reagan, VOCA created grant programs that help states provide critical services to victims and survivors of crime as they work to rebuild their lives.
Congress recognizes how vital these resources are for survivors and has repeatedly taken steps to protect and sustain this funding, including in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
VOCA is funded by criminal fines—not taxpayer dollars, and was designed to support victims, not to be used as leverage or a negotiating tool for unrelated political interests.
VOCA funding covers:
- Victim and witness advocacy
- Emergency shelter
- Medical expenses
- Crime scene cleanup
- Sexual assault forensic exams
- Funeral costs.
States use VOCA funds to assist nearly 9 million crime victims every year and to provide compensation for more than 200,000 victims’ claims. 146 victim service providers rely on VOCA grants in Oregon, facing a loss of around $15 million in 2025 under these federal cuts.
The AGs argue that the Trump Administration’s directive violates fundamental principles of separation of powers and federalism. Congress did not authorize the political conditions on VOCA grants. The coalition is asking the Court to block the Administration from implementing or enforcing these unlawful conditions.