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NewsKPBS Public MediaSeptember 14, 2026California

California and 21 States Sue to Block Federal 'Public Charge' Rule Denying Green Cards

Photo: KPBS Public Media

Democratic-led states and cities filed lawsuits challenging a federal rule set to begin Friday that allows the administration to deny green cards to immigrants relying on public assistance. The legal challenges argue the rule exceeds statutory authority and unlawfully broadens the definition of public charge.

ImmigrationLawsuitsPublic AssistanceFederal Regulations
Read the full story at KPBS Public Media

Why It Matters

Immigrant families seeking legal status face potential denial of s if they or their family members use public assistance programs like healthcare, food, or housing.

Key Facts

  • Democratic-led states and cities filed lawsuits Monday challenging a federal public charge rule.
  • The federal rule is set to begin on Friday.
  • The rule gives the administration broad discretion to deny green cards to immigrants who rely on public assistance for food, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs.
  • New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of 21 states in one of the lawsuits.
  • States involved in the legal challenge include California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani filed a separate lawsuit with leaders of other U.S. cities, including Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle.
  • The lawsuits were filed in federal court in Manhattan.
  • The lawsuits argue the new rule is arbitrary and capricious, exceeds the Department of Homeland Security's statutory authority, and departs from longstanding meaning.
  • The rule allows immigration officers to count nearly any public benefit used for any length of time against a green card applicant, even if used by a U.S. citizen family member.
  • The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the warnings, stating sanctuary states are worried about losing federal funds.

Who's Mentioned

locationManhattan“Location of the federal court where lawsuits were filed”OrganizationU.S. Department of Homeland Security“Federal agency named in the lawsuits”locationSan Francisco“U.S. city whose leaders filed a separate suit”PersonRob Bonta“California Attorney General”PersonJoe Biden“Democratic President under whom the prior rule was reversed”locationHawaii“State involved in the legal challenge”locationNew Mexico“State involved in the legal challenge”locationNew York City“City where lawsuits were filed and news conference held”PersonLetitia James“New York Attorney General leading the coalition of 21 states”locationWisconsin“State involved in the legal challenge”locationMassachusetts“State involved in the legal challenge”PersonSteve Banks“City's corporation counsel”PersonDonald Trump“President whose administration proposed the rule”PersonCybele Mayes-Osterman“Associated Press reporter in Chicago”locationMichigan“State involved in the legal challenge”PersonSophie Austin“Associated Press reporter in Sacramento, Calif.”locationNew York“State leading the coalition of states in the suit”locationChicago“U.S. city whose leaders filed a separate suit”PersonZohran Mamdani“New York City Mayor who filed a separate suit”locationCalifornia“State involved in the legal challenge”locationSeattle“U.S. city whose leaders filed a separate suit”locationNevada“State involved in the legal challenge”locationColorado“State involved in the legal challenge”OrganizationAssociated Press“News organization reporting the story”