Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined four other state attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's new "public charge" rule that makes it harder for immigrants to get green cards and become citizens.
The new rule broadens the definition of who is considered a public charge and ineligible for citizenship based on their use of government assistance programs, such as food stamps, Medicaid and housing assistance.
In a written statement, Frey says the rule is unconstitutional because it will disproportionately block admission of non-white immigrants, and it interferes with Maine’s ability to protect its residents.
California, Oregon, Pennsylvani and the District of Columbia are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Northern California.
