New York, New York - New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and state Attorney General Letitia James on Monday filed a lawsuit to block the Trump administration's new green card rules.

The lawsuit, which was brought by New York and more than a dozen other Democrat-led states, was filed in a Manhattan federal court on Monday and accused the federal government of unlawfully expanding the definition of a "public charge."

It came in response to an attempt by the President Donald Trump's government to begin denying green cards based on whether an applicant would depend on taxpayer-funded benefits such as food stamps and Medicaid.

Trump announced the rule in July, only a month after he was forced to walk back threats to force applicants to leave the country and apply for green cards abroad.

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Mamdani and James unveiled the lawsuit during a press conference at City Hall, calling out the administration for endangering migrants.

"Hardworking families should not be forced to go without the support they need because they fear asking for assistance will get them deported," James declared.

"This rule preys on that fear and counts on families forfeiting the food assistance, health care coverage, and other public benefits to which they are legally entitled."

Speaking at the press conference, Mamdani championed New Yorkers who have an immigrant background, touting the city's diversity and culture, while condemning the Trump administration's attempts to force migrants out of the US.

"We are all gathered here today out of a belief that New York City is the greatest city in the world in no small part because of the immigrants who helped to build it," Mamdani said.

"Immigrants laid the foundations of our bridges, and erected towers that stretch into the sky. Immigrants wrote the poems that stir our hearts, and sang the songs that make us dance."