Mamdani Sues Washington Over Rule Tying Benefits To Green Cards
New York City filed the September 14 suit in Manhattan federal court, joined by six other cities and counties, against a rule taking effect September 18.
- New York City led six co-plaintiffs, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Seattle, King County and the Public Rights Project, in a lawsuit filed September 14, 2026, challenging the new federal public charge rule.
- "New York City is proud to lead a coalition of cities and counties standing firmly against this cruel and unlawful rule."
- Rule takes effect September 18, 2026, letting officers weigh nearly any public benefit.
Why it matters: A rule with no definition of 'public benefit' does not constrain the deciding officer, it hands him total discretion.