Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits Monday in Manhattan federal court challenging a new Trump administration rule that expands the definition of a "public charge" for green card applicants.

The Department of Homeland Security rule, set to begin Friday, allows immigration officials broader discretion to deny lawful permanent residency to those who use or are likely to use public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, and housing vouchers. The policy aims to enforce the longstanding principle that immigrants must demonstrate the ability to support themselves without primary reliance on government assistance. The rule rescinds a narrower 2022 Biden-era standard and revives aspects of an earlier Trump policy. Administration officials maintain it restores proper enforcement of immigration law and prevents long-term dependency.

New York Attorney General Letitia James leads the coalition, joined by California and Illinois. The states argue the rule exceeds federal authority and will discourage eligible families from accessing benefits, leading to estimated losses of billions in federal Medicaid and CHIP funding.

A separate suit filed by Democrat-lead cities, including New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, makes similar claims. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdan said the DHS rule was intended to invoke "uncertainty and fear" in an attempt to "isolate "immigrants in New York.

Plaintiff states include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The lawsuits seek to block implementation before the Friday effective date.

Critics of the suits contend they prioritize expansive access to public programs over fiscal responsibility and legal immigration standards. The filings highlight ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and continued state-level resistance in Democratic-led jurisdictions.