Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined forces with 20 other attorneys general to file a lawsuit against the federal administration. The coalition aims to stop what they describe as an unlawful attempt to restrict access to essential health, education, and social service programs. This legal action follows a recent policy change that requires state safety net programs to verify citizenship or immigration status before serving residents.

Nessel emphasized the importance of these services, stating, “Title X, community centers, and mental health services are vital to the well-being of Michigan residents.” She criticized the new rules for forcing providers into compliance with sudden changes or risking federal funding loss.

On July 10, several U.S. departments issued new rules reinterpreting the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). These changes prevent states from using federal funds for individuals unable to verify their immigration status. The immediate implementation of these directives is causing significant disruptions across various state programs.

In Michigan, key programs like Title X Family Planning and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) face challenges in complying with these requirements. The Employment Services program also anticipates costly updates due to these changes.

The lawsuit contends that the federal government acted unlawfully by bypassing required procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act and misapplying PRWORA. It seeks a court declaration deeming the new rules unlawful and requests injunctions to halt their implementation.

This marks the 25th lawsuit filed by Nessel's department against the Trump Administration this year. Previous lawsuits have recouped substantial funds for Michigan, including over $100 million in FEMA funds.

Joining Nessel in this legal effort are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Washington, and the District of Columbia.