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Attorney General William Tong announced Monday that Connecticut has joined a coalition of 21 other states and D.C. in suing to stop a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public charge rule set to take effect September 18. A "public charge" refers to a person who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for long-term subsistence. The revised rule would restore broader discretion for immigration officers to deny green cards when applicants are likely to become primarily dependent on government aid.

Tong called it “a cruel scheme intended to bully immigrant families out of seeking lifesaving assistance” and “a reviled scare tactic from [Trump’s] first failed administration.” He noted his office previously sued over a similar 2019 rule. The new lawsuit, filed in the notorious Southern District of New York and led by Tong's pals, New York AG Letitia James, California AG Rob Bonta, and Illinois AG Kwame Raoul, argues the rule is arbitrary, exceeds DHS authority, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

Under the 2022 Biden-era regulation, officers generally limited public-charge findings to cash assistance for income maintenance or long-term institutionalization at government expense. The 2026 rule lets officers consider nearly any means-tested public benefit, for any length of time, including some benefits used by family members the applicant is obligated to support—even U.S. citizen relatives. DHS has estimated resulting disenrollment could cut federal Medicaid/CHIP transfers to states by about $4.05 billion a year and SNAP transfers by about $1.02 billion. The coalition claims these cuts would strain hospitals, school meal programs, Title I funding, and local grocery businesses, plus add administrative costs for states.

"This is on top of the added strain of residents cycling on and off programs out of fear," the press release said.

Tong has joined more than 60 lawsuits against the Trump administration during his tenure, frequently highlighting these legal challenges as part of his reelection platform.

The coalition is asking a federal judge to declare the 2026 public charge rule unlawful and vacate it.

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