A new U.S. Department of Justice policy that bars non-citizen domestic violence victims from receiving legal support through programs funded by the federal government violates the Constitution, New York State Attorney General Letitia James charges in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday.

James and attorneys general from 19 other states joined in the litigation to reverse a Sept. 15 directive from the Justice Department that prohibits assistance to "any removable alien."

The funds are administered to state legal assistance groups by the Department of Justice through the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act. The money goes to support domestic violence victims in family court, securing protective orders, custody, housing assistance, medical bills, funeral costs and other l

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