In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court lifted the block that prevented U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from enforcing the “public charge” rule.
The Nazi-era regulation puts up hurdles and roadblocks to obtaining a green card or visa for low-income immigrants who use food stamps or other public assistance.
“To take away food out the mouths of poor people, out of the mouths of children, is just horrendous,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in response to the rule.
In 2018, his administration submitted comments in opposition to the Trump rule, arguing that tens of thousands of Philadelphia residents would likely refuse benefits — like food stamps or health care for their children — because of concerns that they would lose eligibility for residency.
Kenney said city officials are evaluating other options for those families.
“We are working on it now with our nonprofit partners to see what we can do to supplement. We don't get any help from Washington, we get a little help from Harrisburg, if any. We are kind of on our own — on education, poverty, crime — but we'll get through it,” Kenney said.
The new policy, which is part of President Donald Trump’s wide effort to curb legal immigration, will go into effect on Feb. 24.