On April 15, AmeriCorps halted the work of over 50 full-time volunteers involved in recovery efforts in western North Carolina. This decision was part of a broader termination affecting more than 750 volunteers nationwide within the National Civilian Community Corps. By April 25, AmeriCorps informed North Carolina that it would cease funding for ten volunteer organizations through the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, impacting several communities severely affected by recent events.
In response, Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined forces with attorneys general from 23 other states to file a lawsuit against AmeriCorps. The legal action challenged the agency’s failure to administer grants appropriated by Congress.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland has now issued a preliminary injunction, restoring all terminated programs in North Carolina while the case proceeds. A federal judge ruled that AmeriCorps’ actions were unlawful due to a lack of advance notice and opportunity for public comment as required by Congress.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson was supported in this legal endeavor by his counterparts from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Additionally joining were the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
A copy of the preliminary injunction is available here.
