New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after the federal government agreed to temporarily pause enforcement of policy changes that threatened to cripple key community programs, marking a preliminary step in the fight to protect access to essential public services:

“Today’s agreement is a significant step in our fight to protect the basic services that millions of New Yorkers rely on to survive. These policy changes threaten essential lifelines like health care, education, and nutrition assistance programs for hardworking families in New York and nationwide. My office will continue to fight for these programs and services on behalf of all who need them.”