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New York and Chicago led a coalition of 32 cities against the Trump administration’s proposal to change the public charge rule.

The coalition of cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors argued that the proposal by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) violates federal laws including the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). They also called the proposed public charge rule “cruel.”

In their comment, they argued that the proposal “would have wide-ranging and devastating effects on the health and financial stability of immigrants and their families, including U.S. citizens.”

In addition, the coalition noted that the proposed public charge rule is targeting immigrants that “resided, worked, and payed taxes in the United States and the signatory cities for years.”

Furthermore, they stressed that the proposal violates the APA because it contradicts the statutory meaning of public charge. The definition of public charge has “existed for over a hundred years” and “embodied in both immigration law and policy.” It violates APA because it is “arbitrary and capricious.” The DHS failed to properly consider its economic impact on local and state governments as well as on families.

Proposed public charge rule is “nothing less than a public disgrace”

In a statement, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said, “We strongly oppose yet another cruel policy coming out of the White House. This proposed rule, if finalized, could force working New Yorkers to choose between enrolling in public benefits they have a legal right to and staying in the country legally.”

“The Trump administration’s hateful and racist rhetoric will not change who we are as a beacon to the world. We are joining cities and municipalities across the nation to fight this rule with every tool at our disposal,” added de Blasio.

On the other hand, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the proposed public charge rule is the “latest example of the Trump Administration's unlawful attempts to unfairly target and endanger the most vulnerable among us.”

Additionally, Emanuel emphasized that Chicago “will not stand by” while resources are taken away from its residents.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, commented, “Our government should never be in the business of punishing people who may need a little help making sure their kids are safe, fed, and have a roof over their heads. Creating fear and targeting legal immigrants who follow the rules does nothing to increase our security or strengthen our economy — it is nothing less than a public disgrace.”