States sue to halt DHS’s broadened 'public charge' rule for visas and green cards

More than 20 states and Washington, D.C., led by New York, sue the Trump administration to block a DHS rule that expands what counts as a public charge for visas and green cards, allowing officials to consider any means-tested benefits (including Medicaid, SNAP and school meals) with broader discretionary power. The rule, set to take effect soon, is argued by critics to chill immigrant families from seeking needed aid and could cost billions in federal funding; supporters say it restores authority to assess future welfare risk. The suit targets legal immigrants (undocumented entrants are largely ineligible for benefits) and comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration.