Three other states contest the rule of immigration "with public charge"

State Attorney General of New York, Letitia James (D), began legal action Tuesday against new rules to expand the type of public assistance that immigrants can obtain. A green card is potentially denied.

James jointly filed suit in the Manhattan Federal Court with the New York City Legal Department and the Attorneys General of Connecticut and Vermont. Thirteen other states had already filed a lawsuit against the proposed change last week.

The rule would add Medicaid and vouchers to the list of programs whose previous recipients could be considered a "public accusation", potentially jeopardizing their ability to become citizens.

In the lawsuit, James argues that the rule, which according to defenders will disproportionately affect immigrants from developing countries of Central America and Africa, is based on racial prejudice, citing specifically President TrumpHarry Reid: "The decriminalization of border crossings is not something that should be at the top of the list" Recessions happen when presidents neglect fundamental issues MOREThe reference "shithole country".

She adds that this contravenes "century-old jurisprudence," arguing that, in the past, immigrants who enjoy cash-free cash benefits can not be considered public servants.

"Finally, the rule fundamentally ignores that these non-monetary programs are designed to help immigrants arriving in this country with limited means to get out of poverty and achieve upward mobility," James said in a statement.

Opponents of the rule argued that this would lead to a lower quality of life for immigrants who give up the assistance they may need to survive, for fear of violating politics.

"The thinly veiled efforts of the Trump administration to allow only those who respect their ethnic, racial and economic criteria to embark on the path of citizenship are a flagrant violation of our laws and values," he said. said James in a statement.

"Simply, under this rule, more children will be hungry, more families will be denied medical care and more people will live in the shadows and on the streets. We can not and we will not let that happen, "she added.

James announced for the first time the intention of his office to continue the rule last week, despite widespread democratic reactions to the proposed change.