Mamdani Sues Trump Administration Over Rule That Could Deny Green Cards to Immigrants Using Public Benefits

New York City is taking the Trump administration to court over a new immigration rule that could make an immigrant’s use of government benefits a factor in deciding whether they receive a green card.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that New York City, joined by Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and several counties, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the rule, which is scheduled to take effect Friday.

The dispute centers on the federal government’s expanded interpretation of the so-called “public charge” rule. Under the new policy, immigration officials would have broader discretion to consider an immigrant’s use of means-tested public benefits, including assistance for food, health care and housing, when evaluating applications for green cards and certain visas.

The Trump administration argues the policy is intended to ensure immigrants can support themselves and protect public resources. Critics say it goes far beyond the traditional definition of a public charge and could discourage eligible immigrants from seeking assistance they are legally entitled to receive.

Mamdani's coalition argues the policy could create a chilling effect well beyond immigrants who are actually subject to the rule.

“New Yorkers will be afraid to see a doctor or ask for help they are legally entitled to,” Mamdani said.

The legal battle comes as New York Attorney General Letitia James leads a separate lawsuit joined by 21 other states and the District of Columbia. That case also seeks to block the rule, arguing that it gives immigration officials sweeping discretion to penalize immigrants for lawful use of public benefits.

The federal government’s own analysis estimates the policy could lead roughly 950,000 people to drop or avoid enrolling in public assistance programs.

New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs says the rule is not currently in effect and could still be blocked or delayed by the courts.

The lawsuits now put the question squarely before federal judges: How far can the government go in considering an immigrant’s use of taxpayer-funded benefits when deciding who gets to stay?