New york: A nationwide coalition of municipal and state governments has taken legal action against the administration of US President Donald Trump, challenging a federal immigration rule that allows authorities to deny green cards and visas based on the use of public assistance.

According to Anadolu Agency, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the rule, stating that it neither reduces waste nor enhances safety for Americans. Mamdani described the measure as a "vehicle for confusion and a vehicle for cruelty." The municipal lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, unites cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, along with counties such as Santa Clara and King, as well as the legal advocacy group Public Rights Project.

The legal move addresses a Department of Homeland Security regulation set to be enforced on Friday, which broadens the scope of safety-net programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), that federal officers can consider when determining if an applicant might become a "public charge."

In a parallel effort, New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a separate lawsuit, supported by 21 other states and the District of Columbia. This lawsuit seeks to block the policy, arguing that it grants immigration agents "sweeping discretion" to penalize individuals for utilizing statutory public assistance, ultimately undermining community health and stability.