Fresno Risks $2 Million Rape Kit Grant After Rejecting DOJ-ICE Cooperation Demand
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 16
Fresno Risks $2 Million Rape Kit Grant After Rejecting DOJ-ICE Cooperation Demand
1 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 16
Summary
$2 million in federal rape-kit funding for Fresno is at risk after the city refused a DOJ certification tying the grant to cooperation with ICE and Homeland Security.
The threatened grant covers testing 400 sexual-assault kits; Fresno says state law bars the requested information-sharing, and City Attorney Andrew Janz signaled the dispute is likely headed to court.
Fresno has already used past federal money to test more than 2,500 backlogged kits, open 33 cases and secure four rape convictions, making the funding fight an immediate threat to victim prosecutions.
More than 21 grant recipients for rape-kit testing are now labeled sanctuary jurisdictions, while Los Angeles County says it skipped applications and Portland warns its $8.6 million in DOJ grants could be curtailed.
A California judge ruled on July 9 that the administration could not withhold public-safety grants from Oregon and California cities, setting up rape-kit funding as the next test of Trump's sanctuary-city crackdown.
With federal funds for rape kit testing tied to immigration policy, how will cities protect victims?
As courts repeatedly block funding cuts, what is the administration's next move against sanctuary jurisdictions?
Fresno Faces Loss of $2M Sexual Assault Kit Funding in Clash With DOJ on Immigration Policy
Overview
Fresno is facing a major dispute with the federal government, risking a $2 million grant for processing sexual assault evidence kits because the U.S. Department of Justice is demanding the city cooperate with ICE. Although the Trump Administration has not yet withdrawn the funding, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz calls the federal certification check a 'pretext,' showing the city's strong opposition to these requirements. This standoff reflects a wider legal battle, as a California judge recently ruled against the federal government’s ability to withhold public safety grants, and a separate conflict is emerging over the sexual assault evidence kits.