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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is suing President Donald Trump's administration over plans to expand federal authority to deny visa and green card applications based on welfare status.
The lawsuit, filed jointly with NY Attorney General Letitia James, targets the Trump administration's plan to expand the "public charge" rule, which allows the federal government to deny visa applications based on the likelihood that the applicant will receive public benefits. Trump's administration seeks to expand the list of benefits that apply under the rule, with the change taking effect Sept. 18.
"If you are a citizen, or an individual seeking humanitarian relief like asylum, these changes will not affect you," Mamdani said at a press conference Monday. "The new public charge rule not only sweeps aside more than a century of established law, it is intentionally vague as a means of creating uncertainty and fear to isolate immigrant New Yorkers."
"Make no mistake, this is an undisguised effort to strip New Yorkers of the services they rely on, the public benefits they are entitled to," he continued.
9/11 FAMILIES PUSH TO BAN MAMDANI FROM 25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OVER 'HOSTILE' RECORD
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was elected in November 2025 and sworn-in as the city's first socialist mayor on Jan. 1, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Mamdani claimed that up to 4 million people could be forced to unenroll from their healthcare under the new rule out of fear their immigration applications could be denied.
MAMDANI HEADS TO 9/11 MEMORIAL DESPITE 110,000-SIGNATURE PUSH FROM VICTIMS’ FAMILIES TO STAY AWAY
Several major cities and counties across the country are joining New York's lawsuit, including Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Clara County and King County, Mamdani said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James holds a press conference in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Feb. 16, 2024. (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
Meanwhile, James is launching a separate challenge to the rule, leading a coalition of 21 other states and the District of Columbia in asking the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to block the Trump administration's rule.
"Hardworking families should not be forced to go without the support they need because they fear asking for assistance will get them deported," James said in a statement.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides federal food aid to more than 40 million Americans each month. (Fox News) (Olivianna Calmes)
"This rule preys on that fear and counts on families forfeiting the food assistance, health care coverage, and other public benefits to which they are legally entitled. My office fought this exact policy once before and won, and we are leading the nation to ensure the Trump administration cannot inflict this harm on families again," she added.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events.
