22 States and Cities Sue to Block New Public Charge Rule

A coalition of 22 states, the District of Columbia, and several major U.S. cities filed lawsuits Monday to block a new federal immigration rule that expands the definition of "public charge" to potentially deny green cards and visas to immigrants who use public benefits. The rule, set to take effect Friday, September 18, reverses a Biden-era policy and allows officials to consider non-cash benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance when adjudicating immigration applications. The lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, argue the rule is arbitrary, exceeds the Department of Homeland Security's authority, and will create a "chilling effect" that causes immigrants to forgo benefits they are legally entitled to. New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of 22 states in one suit, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leading a parallel case with Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and other municipalities.