US judge blocks Trump immigration rule on public benefits

A federal judge in Chicago struck down a key immigration rule on Monday that would deny green cards to immigrants who use food stamps or other public benefits, a blow to the Trump administration on the eve of the election. In a decision that applies nationwide, US District Judge Gary Feinerman rejected the rule that had taken effect recently after the US Supreme Court reversed a hold on the policy following lawsuits.

Among other things, Feinerman said the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which makes federal agencies accountable to the public by outlining a detailed process for enacting regulations. The decision marked the latest turn in a complex legal battle over the rule that has been among President Donald Trump's most aggressive steps in overhauling the nation's immigration system.

The Chicago lawsuit, filed by the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Cook County, was among numerous legal challenges. Under the Trump administration policy, immigration officials could deny permanent residency to legal immigrants over their use of food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers or other public benefits. Green card applicants had to show they would not be burdens to the country or "public charges".

Federal law already required those seeking permanent residency or legal status to prove they would not be a "public charge". But the Trump administration rule included a wider range of programmes that could disqualify them. Immigrant rights advocates deemed it a "wealth test", while public health experts said it would mean poorer health outcomes and rising costs as low-income migrants chose between needed services and their bid to stay in the country legally. Several cities said such a chilling effect was already evident.

"If these changes are going to be made, they should be made through a deliberative process instead of the way this administration has been doing this," said Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel for ICIRR.

"We may or may not get a new administration. If we do, we would like to see a lot of this damage undone and hopefully some legislative changes that will actually benefit immigrants instead of scaring them away."

Officials in Cook County, which runs one of the nation's largest public health systems, argued that when people lack health care coverage, they are less likely to seek preventive care and rely on more expensive emergency care. That also would increase the risk of communicable diseases.

"As we all continue to be impacted by COVID-19, it is vital that no one is fearful of accessing health care. The court's decision to block enforcement of the Public Charge Rule re-opens doors for immigrants to access vital services like health care," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement.

The US Supreme Court decided in a 5-4 vote in January that the rule could take effect, but enforcement was halted by a federal judge in New York because of the coronavirus pandemic. But by September, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals had reversed that hold and the rule took effect nationwide.

The Trump administration has touted the rule as a way to ensure only those who are self-sufficient come to the US, one of many steps to try to move the country toward a system that focusses on immigrants' skills instead of emphasising the reunification of families. Officials with the US Department of Homeland Security and US Immigration and Citizenship Services did not return messages seeking comment on Monday. If there is an appeal, there could be another legal wrinkle in the case.

In June, the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Feinerman's decision blocking enforcement of the rule in Illinois while the merits of the case could be decided. It was a 2-1 decision, with then-Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett dissenting. Barrett was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice last month and would have to recuse herself if the case reached the nation's highest court. 

(Image Credits: AP)