YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. 13 U.S. states have sued President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday over the new rule that would drastically reduce legal immigration by denying visas to poor migrants, Reuters reports.

 “The Trump Administration’s message is clear: if you’re wealthy you’re welcome, if you’re poor, you’re not,” Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement as reported by Reuters.

“This rule is un-American, anti-immigrant and unlawful.”

The rule was published on Monday and is set to take effect October 15^th. It expands the definition of a public charge, allowing denials to visa applicants who fail to meet income requirements or who receive public assistance.

According to Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson the rule violates the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The other states joining Washington in the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security are: Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan