Four Days Before It Takes Effect, States and Cities Sue to Stop Trump's Expanded "Public Charge" Rule — Mamdani Says "New Yorkers Will Be Afraid to See a Doctor or Ask for Help They Are Legally Entitled To," and the White House Answers That "Immigrants Must Be Able to Support Themselves"
On Sept. 14, 2026, two lawsuits were filed in federal court in Manhattan against a Department of Homeland Security rule, set to take effect Sept. 18, that lets immigration officers weigh nearly any public benefit — including Medicaid, SNAP food aid and housing assistance — against people applying for green cards and visas. Earlier policy counted mainly cash assistance and long-term institutional care. New York Attorney General Letitia James leads a coalition of Democratic-led states, joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani leads a second suit with Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Seattle, King County (Wash.) and the Public Rights Project. Both argue the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and exceeds DHS's authority, and both cite the department's own estimate that the rule's "chilling effect" will cut billions of dollars a year in Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP participation, including among families who remain eligible. The White House called the suits an effort "to give benefits to illegal aliens at the expense 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.”