States and Cities Sue to Block Trump Administration Immigration Rule

New York and 22 other states, along with the District of Columbia and a coalition of cities, have filed lawsuits in the Southern District of New York to block a new Department of Homeland Security rule. The rule, which is set to take effect this Friday, expands the discretion of immigration officials to deny green cards, visas, or entry into the United States to applicants deemed likely to become dependent on government aid. This provision is known as the public charge rule.

Historically, immigration officers primarily considered cash benefits in these evaluations. The new rule allows officials to consider non cash benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP food stamps, and housing vouchers. The lawsuits argue that the Department of Homeland Security exceeded its authority because Congress did not approve this broader interpretation. Plaintiffs also claim the rule is arbitrary and capricious, noting that it could cause immigrants to disenroll from critical programs and result in the loss of billions of dollars in federal funding.

The rule focuses on individuals who already have legal status, as undocumented immigrants are not eligible for these public benefits. This action follows a law signed by President Trump in July 2025 that limits legal immigrants' eligibility for Medicaid and food stamps, specifically removing eligibility for refugees, asylees, and victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking.