DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NEWS RELEASE
Today, Attorney General Raúl Torrez, alongside a coalition of 25 attorneys general and two state governors, secured an important victory in their effort to stop the Trump administration from dismantling AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The order comes after the coalition filed a lawsuit in April seeking a preliminary injunction (PI) to immediately stop the closure of AmeriCorps programs and its workforce reduction. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted the PI, restoring all programs that had been terminated in plaintiff states, and ordering the reinstatement of over 750 National Civilian Community Corps members while litigation proceeds.
“This is a major victory for New Mexico and the thousands of AmeriCorps members who serve our communities every day,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “From wildfire recovery to education and housing assistance, these programs are the backbone of our state’s disaster response and community service efforts. The court’s decision makes clear that the Trump administration’s attempt to abruptly dismantle these vital programs is not only unlawful, but deeply harmful to the families and communities that depend on them. My office will continue to fight for the full and permanent reinstatement of AmeriCorps in New Mexico, and we’re proud to stand with other state leaders in defending the services our residents deserve.”
“Thanks to Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s leadership, we’ve stopped Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on AmeriCorps, which supports critical work in New Mexico that connects veterans to services, fights the opioid epidemic, helps older adults age with dignity, and rebuilds communities after disasters,” said Senator Martin Heinrich, the first AmeriCorps member to serve in the U.S. Senate. “Unfortunately, we know that Trump’s illegal attacks on AmeriCorps have already led to dozens of young New Mexicans losing the opportunity to pursue jobs in service to New Mexicans. I insist that AmeriCorps immediately comply with this injunction and restore programs and funding that support our veterans, health care, rural communities, and working families.”
Today’s order restores vital AmeriCorps programs in New Mexico, including initiatives that support culturally responsive education, after-school youth and mentoring programs, special education services, teacher preparation, environmental conservation, and housing and support for at-risk and homeless youth across rural, tribal and underserved populations across the state.
April’s lawsuit, brought forth by the coalition of 24 attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, challenged the Trump administration’s plans to eliminate 85 percent of AmeriCorps’ workforce, abruptly cancel its contract and close $400 million worth of AmeriCorps-supported programs.
The coalition successfully argued that the Trump administration’s attacks on AmeriCorps are illegal and that, by closing the $400 million worth of programs without explanation, the administration harmed states that administer these programs, as well as K-12 students, vulnerable seniors and others who depend on their services.
A federal judge found that the Trump administration’s actions were unlawful as Congress explicitly required that the agency provide advance notice and an opportunity to comment on any major changes to AmeriCorps services. The administration ignored this clear legal requirement and, as a consequence, the Court granted relief to the plaintiff states.
Joining New Mexico in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.