San Francisco sues trump Administration over new green card rules

San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over a new regulation that would give federal officials more power to deny green cards to immigrants deemed likely to rely on welfare, calling it an unlawful attack on immigrant communities.

“This illegal rule is just another attempt to vilify immigrants,” San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said in a statement announcing the suit. “It makes it easier to unfairly target hard-working, lawful immigrants while sowing fear and confusion in our communities.”

“The Trump administration’s new rule is an unlawful, foolish attack on immigrant communities,” Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams said. “It will hurt all members of our communities by reducing access to critical health and safety-net services that create healthier communities for all of our residents."

The California jurisdictions claim the rule attempts to abolish decades of legal precedent and “coerces individuals to forgo or withdraw from critical benefits or care.”

Some experts say the new rule could cut legal immigration in half by denying visas and permanent residency to hundreds of thousands of people if they fail to meet high enough income standards or if they receive public assistance such as welfare, food stamps, public housing or Medicaid.

The rule, unveiled on Monday and to take effect Oct. 15, expands the definition of a public charge, allowing denials to visa applicants who fail to meet income requirements or who receive public assistance.