Nevada joins 12 states suing over public benefit immigration rule

CHICAGO — Attorneys general in 13 states, including Nevada, have filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration rule that’ll allow immigration officials to deny green cards to migrants who use public assistance, including food stamps or housing vouchers.

The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday in Richland, Washington, follows a similar one Tuesday by two California counties.

Under new rules unveiled this week, Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider whether applicants have received public assistance among other factors such as education to determine whether to grant legal status.

The attorneys general argue the expansion will cause “irreparable harm” and deter noncitizens from seeking “essential” public assistance.

The lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A spokesman didn’t return a message Wednesday.

In addition to Nevada, the states involved are: Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington.