22 States Sue to Block Imminent Immigration Rule

States and cities are racing to court to stop President Trump's latest move on immigration benefits before it kicks in on Friday. In two coordinated lawsuits, 22 states and a group of major cities including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco say the new policy would make it easier for federal authorities to deny issuing green cards, reports CNN. The rule change would give immigration officials more leeway to deny the cards if the immigrants rely on public benefits or are deemed likely to do so.

"Hardworking families should not be forced to go without the support they need because they fear asking for assistance will get them deported," said New York state Letitia James in a release. The administration counters that the rule change is necessary to restore "the basic principle that immigrants must be able to support themselves." The two lawsuits argue that DHS is overstepping its authority because Congress did not approve a wider interpretation of what it means to be a "public charge." A similar rule during the first Trump administration met legal challenges and ended up being reversed by the Biden administration, notes the New York Times.