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New York City and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Policy

New York City and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Policy

New York City, alongside a coalition of other cities including Chicago and San Francisco, and a separate group of 21 states led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. The legal actions challenge a new immigration policy set to take effect on September 18, 2026. This policy broadens the definition of 'public charge,' giving immigration officers greater discretion to consider an applicant's use of public benefits when evaluating green card and visa applications. Historically, the 'public charge' rule, which dates back to the Immigration Act of 1882, primarily focused on cash assistance. The first Trump administration expanded this to include non-cash benefits like Medicaid and food stamps, a change that was later reversed by the Biden administration in 2022. The current Trump administration's new rule further expands this, stating that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider the receipt of 'any means-tested public benefits,' without s...

California and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Denial Rules

California and States Sue Trump Administration Over Expanded Green Card Denial Rules

California, alongside 21 other states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge a new rule that broadens the criteria for denying green cards. The rule, set to take effect soon, expands the definition of a 'public charge' to include individuals who have used or may use public benefits such such as food or healthcare assistance. Previously, the 'public charge' assessment was limited to the use of cash welfare and long-term institutional care. The updated guidance allows immigration officers to deny green cards for 'any and all benefits,' potentially including free school lunches or state-provided health insurance for applicants or their dependents, even U.S. citizen children. This is not the first time the Trump administration has attempted such a policy; a similar rule in 2019 was struck down by courts and later reversed under President Joe Biden. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated this is the 92nd lawsuit California has filed against the federal government since ...

22 States Sue to Block DHS Public Charge Rule Expansion

22 States Sue to Block DHS Public Charge Rule Expansion

Attorney General Nick Brown, alongside 21 other states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit to prevent the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing a new public charge rule. This rule, set to take effect on September 18, would grant immigration officials broader authority to deny green cards to individuals based on their lawful use of public benefits. Historically, public charge determinations focused on cash benefits, but the new DHS rule would expand this to include nearly any means-tested public benefit, even if used for a short period. The lawsuit, led by Attorneys General from New York, California, and Illinois, argues that this rule is designed to intimidate immigrant families and is unlawful. The coalition contends that DHS cannot legally withhold permanent residency from individuals entitled to benefits like food assistance. The lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking to declare the rule unlawful and prevent i...

Texas landowners sue DHS to block Trump's Big Bend border wall plans

Texas landowners sue DHS to block Trump's Big Bend border wall plans

Texas landowners and a conservation group are suing DHS, arguing the region's low crossings don't justify fast-tracking border wall construction.

Trump Administration Accused of Illegally Deporting Over 170 Migrants in Violation of Court Orders

Trump Administration Accused of Illegally Deporting Over 170 Migrants in Violation of Court Orders

The Trump administration has reportedly deported more than 170 migrants in violation of court orders since last year, according to a report by Politico. These actions are part of President Trump’s mass deportation efforts, which have allegedly resulted in individuals being wrongly removed from the U.S., often in defiance of legally mandated due process protections or to countries from which they sought protection. One example cited is Jose Ojeda Duarte, who was deported to Venezuela due to a 'data quality issue' after being told he was going to a court date for an asylum application. Although he was later allowed to return, he now lives in fear of re-detention. Similarly, Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras despite a court order, and though the administration apologized, she declined to return due to fear. Immigration lawyers report a significant increase in such cases under the current administration, indicating an 'overzealous enforcement' approach.

U.S. District Judge Blocks DHS Rule Ending Duration of Status for International Students Nationwide

U.S. District Judge Blocks DHS Rule Ending Duration of Status for International Students Nationwide

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV has granted nationwide preliminary relief, effectively blocking a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that sought to end the Duration of Status (D/S) policy for international students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media. The court's decision prevents DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from implementing the rule while the lawsuit challenging it proceeds. This means the long-standing Duration of Status framework will remain in place across the United States. The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of plaintiffs, including the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and others, arguing that the rule would cause serious and irreparable harm.

Representative Al Green to Force House Vote on Impeachment Resolution Against President Trump This Week

Representative Al Green to Force House Vote on Impeachment Resolution Against President Trump This Week

Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, announced his intention to force a recorded vote in the House of Representatives this week on his latest impeachment resolution against President Trump. Green filed House Resolution 1486 on August 24, which accuses President Trump of abusing the powers of his office through the administration's operation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The resolution alleges that these agencies are unaccountable and that the administration is responsible for unjustified killings and cover-ups involving specific individuals. Green argues that President Trump's conduct violates his constitutional oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, and the one-article resolution calls for his impeachment and removal from office. Green plans to use a privileged-resolution procedure under House Rule IX to bring the measure to the floor, which requires the chamber to address his proposal rather than allowing it to remain in ...

US appeals court skeptical of DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

US appeals court skeptical of DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

By Andrew Goudsward RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday appeared wary of the Justice Department’s bid to revive criminal cases against two of President Donald Trump's longtime adversaries, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James

Community Members Mark One-Year Anniversary of Silverio Villegas González's Killing by Immigration Enforcement, Express Lingering Fear

Community Members Mark One-Year Anniversary of Silverio Villegas González's Killing by Immigration Enforcement, Express Lingering Fear

One year after Silverio Villegas González was fatally shot by an immigration enforcement agent during a traffic stop, community members in Franklin Park, Illinois, gathered to remember him and express ongoing fear. Marisela Sandoval, 42, noted that the threat facing their community has persisted since the incident. Hundreds attended events, including a tearful morning memorial and a protest in Melrose Park demanding an end to federal immigration enforcement in Illinois. Local leaders and immigrant rights advocates, such as the Rev. Brendan Curran, highlighted unanswered questions surrounding the case. Discrepancies have been noted between the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) initial claims—that an agent was seriously injured after being dragged by Villegas González's vehicle and that Villegas González had a criminal history—and later evidence. Body-worn camera footage showed the agent stating his injuries were 'nothing major,' and the Tribune found no criminal history for Villegas González, who had ...

Trump Administration's Silence on Salvadoran TPS Protections Elicits Relief and Uncertainty

Trump Administration's Silence on Salvadoran TPS Protections Elicits Relief and Uncertainty

The Trump administration has remained silent on the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 170,000 immigrants from El Salvador, allowing a deadline to pass without a public announcement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated it would make an announcement "at an appropriate time" and that TPS for El Salvador would remain in effect until then. This lack of a decision has been met with relief by some, including Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3) of Northern Virginia, who expressed gratitude that protections and work eligibility are holding fast. However, it also creates uncertainty for TPS holders, their families, and employers. Critics, like Ben Johnson of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, argue that the administration is leaving these individuals in limbo. TPS was initially granted to El Salvador due to the aftermath of a civil war and natural disasters in 2001. While El Salvador has become significantly safer under President Nayib Bukele's crackdown on gangs, rights activists crit...

US judge rules that Trump plan to halve FEMA workforce violated law

US judge rules that Trump plan to halve FEMA workforce violated law

By Daniel Wiessner Sept 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge has ruled that the Trump administration broke the law by ordering the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cut its workforce in half. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco in a decision issued late Friday, said the U.S.