Trump's swing at green card holders on public benefits is facing a slew of lawsuits

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Published: 2026-09-14T17:40:01.341Z • Permanent link

New York City and San Francisco are taking the Trump administration to court over a policy that would limit green cards for immigrants deemed likely to use safety nets. The policy, which is set to take effect on October 15, has sparked widespread outrage among advocacy groups and lawmakers. The administration claims that the policy is necessary to prevent immigrants from becoming a burden on the US economy, but critics argue that it is a thinly veiled attempt to punish immigrants who are simply trying to make a better life for themselves.

The policy, which was announced in August, would deny green cards to immigrants who are deemed to be likely to use public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance. The administration has said that the policy is based on data from the 2016 American Community Survey, which found that 14% of immigrants use public benefits. However, critics argue that the data is flawed and that the policy is based on a false assumption that immigrants are more likely to use public benefits than native-born Americans.

The lawsuit, which was filed on September 20, alleges that the policy is unconstitutional and that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. The lawsuit also claims that the policy is discriminatory and that it targets immigrants who are already vulnerable and in need of support. The city of San Francisco and the city of New York have joined forces to file the lawsuit, which is being led by the National Immigration Law Center.

The policy is having a significant impact on the Data Sources domain, particularly in the areas of immigration and public benefits. Companies such as IBM and Google have already begun to take steps to prepare for the policy, including developing new algorithms to determine which immigrants are likely to use public benefits. Research communities are also taking notice, with many experts arguing that the policy is a flawed attempt to address a complex issue.

The policy is also affecting the markets, particularly in the areas of technology and healthcare. Companies such as Amazon and Microsoft are already seeing the impact of the policy, with many immigrants deciding not to apply for green cards due to the uncertainty surrounding the policy. The policy is also affecting the policy environment, with many lawmakers and advocacy groups speaking out against the policy and calling for it to be repealed.

The policy is part of a larger pattern of efforts by the Trump administration to restrict immigration and limit access to public benefits. The administration has already implemented several policies aimed at reducing immigration, including a ban on travel from several countries and a plan to cut funding for refugee resettlement programs. The policy is also reminiscent of the "welfare queen" myth, which was popularized in the 1980s and 1990s and suggested that immigrants were more likely to use public benefits than native-born Americans.