By Ariane de Vogue and Priscilla Alvarez | CNN
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a case concerning a controversial Trump-era rule that makes it more difficult for immigrants to obtain legal status if they use certain public benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps and housing vouchers, in response to a Justice Department request.
The new filing is the latest example of the Biden administration switching positions from the Trump era. Under former President Donald Trump, immigration enforcement was a cornerstone of his agenda.
Last month, the justices agreed to take up a challenge to the so-called “public charge” rule brought by The Legal Aid Society, various groups and state and local officials. But in a brief letter to the court on Tuesday, Acting Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the justices that both sides had agreed that the challenge should be dismissed.
“ The result of the Supreme Court dismissing this case means that the USCIS Form I-944 Public Charge rule will be blocked while the Biden Administration continues to review the rule and decide what its long term position will be on using the public charge rule to prevent certain immigrants from immigrating to the United States.
“This is welcome news for many immigrants and their families who have been reluctant to apply for or utilize many public benefits for fear of how it may affect their immigration application or status. Great result!”
Darius Amiri, Esq., Rose Law Group Immigration Department Chair
