Baltimore, Gaithersburg sue Trump administration over 'public charge' rule limiting green cards,

visas to immigrants on public assistance.

'Baltimore City and the town of Gaithersburg are suing the Trump administration over its “public charge” rule, saying the rule allowing the government to prohibit green cards or permanent residency to certain immigrants using public benefits is “designed to reduce legal immigration levels and to disfavor poorer immigrants and immigrants of color.”

Filed in U.S. District Court, the lawsuit marks the latest effort by city and state officials along with immigration advocates to stop the rule, which goes into effect on Oct. 15. The municipalities are joined by state Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher, D-Montgomery, and a number of advocacy groups.

The lawsuit also asserts that the federal rule could have a “chilling effect” on immigrants who make use of legal public benefits such as Medicaid or housing vouchers, something another advocacy group says is already happening.

In a separate lawsuit filed earlier this month, Casa de Maryland, an immigrant advocacy group, claims that some of its members have started dropping public benefits as details of the rule have been revealed.

“Since earlier iterations of the Public Charge Rule were first reported in the media, some of CASA’s members have disenrolled themselves and their children from public benefits to which they are lawfully entitled because of fear and confusion about what public benefits may affect their ability to stay in the United States and become [Lawful Permanent Residents] and, one day, U.S. citizens,” the lawsuit claims.'>>>

https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-ci-baltimore-trump-public-charge-lawsuit-20191001-utlk7zljjngnvktulttbl7hdxe-story.html?