Seattle sues over Trump rule on immigrants' use of public benefits
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Seattle and King County are suing to block a new Trump administration rule they say will drive immigrant families away from public benefits they can legally receive.
Why it matters: Local officials warn the rule could push hundreds of thousands of immigrants out of health, food and housing programs, increasing homelessness and shifting millions in costs to local hospitals and governments.
What they're saying: The rule targets "immigrants who are legally establishing their status" if they use "any public program for any amount," King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said in a news release.
- "Needing a little help along the way should never be used against someone in an immigration context," Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans said.
Catch up quick: The administration's rule takes effect this week and gives immigration officers broader discretion to deny green cards and visas based on immigrants' use of public benefits.
- Plaintiffs say the change abandons a century-old standard that limited who was considered a "public charge" to people who are "primarily dependent" on government cash assistance.
- The plaintiffs argue the new rule will deter immigrant families from using Medicaid, SNAP and housing assistance programs.
The other side: A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said sanctuary jurisdictions "are terrified they will lose federal funds" because "noncitizens might remove themselves from American welfare programs."
- "We're shaking in our boots over this supposedly terrible outcome," the DHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Axios.
Zoom out: New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Santa Clara County are also parties to the lawsuit.
- Washington state is challenging the rule as part of a separate legal complaint.
Go deeper: The health impact of Trump's new "public charge" rule
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.