Providence: A coalition of 20 state attorneys general sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, challenging a new rule they say will strip vital support from survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence who cannot instantly prove their immigration status, US media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in the state of Rhode Island and targets a Justice Department regulation set to take effect on October 31. This regulation would block funding under the Violence Against Women Act and two other laws from going to victims who cannot immediately prove their immigration status, as reported by NBC News.

New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized the importance of court protection for survivors, stating, "Sexual assault and domestic violence survivors turn to our courts for safety and protection. They should never be turned away because of who they are or where they come from."

The attorneys general argue that the rule could also affect lawful residents and US citizens who lack immediate access to identification, as abusers often hide or destroy documents to maintain control over their victims. Their legal filing claims that the Justice Department violated the Constitution's spending clause and the Administrative Procedure Act by imposing retroactive and ambiguous conditions on grants without proper justification.

This lawsuit follows remarks by Trump, who recently downplayed domestic violence in a speech, stating, "If a man has a little fight with the wife, they say this was a crime." These comments have drawn widespread criticism.

Attorney General James further criticized the administration's actions, saying the move "endangers families, silences survivors, and threatens public safety."