New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leading a coalition of cities and counties in a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s new “public charge” rule, which could make it harder for some immigrants to obtain green cards or visas if they use certain public benefits.
The rule, scheduled to take effect September 18th, gives immigration officials broader discretion to consider an applicant’s use of benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance, and other welfare programs.
Mamdani and the other plaintiffs argue the policy could discourage immigrant families from seeking healthcare, food assistance, and other services they are legally entitled to receive.
New York City filed the lawsuit alongside Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Clara County and King County, Washington.
The White House defended the policy and accused Democrats of putting noncitizens ahead of American taxpayers.
“Extreme Democrats are once again fighting to give benefits to illegal aliens at the expense of American taxpayers. Immigrants must be able to support themselves and not depend on hard-working American taxpayers. President Trump and this administration will always put American citizens first,” spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement.
The administration says the rule is intended to reinforce the principle that immigrants should be financially self-sufficient.
The legal battle comes as a separate lawsuit led by New York Attorney General Letitia James challenges the rule on behalf of 21 states and Washington, D.C.
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