SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- San Francisco Mayor London Breed slammed the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday for issuing an order allowing the federal government to implement a policy that threatens to deny immigrants permanent residency in the country.
The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that President Donald Trump's administration could temporarily implement the so-called "public charge" rule that would ban immigrants from using public benefits, including food stamps, Medicaid, housing or permanent residency, also known as a "green card."
"President Trump's 'Public Charge' rule is an abusive attack on our immigrant communities designed to make our most vulnerable residents choose between critical services or remaining in the United States," Breed said.
The mayor added she supports access to certain social services such as medical care or food aid for immigrants.
No one should be discriminated against for applying for such federal benefits, she asserted.
Breed called the court's decision an "unconscionable policy," saying her government had opposed the rule when it was first proposed.
"Although we can't stop the federal government from moving ahead with the 'public charge' rule, we will keep doing whatever we can to support immigrants living in our city, and will continue providing critical services to our most vulnerable residents," she said.
Breed is one of a number of Californian officials to openly challenge the Supreme Court's order on Monday.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra also vowed to fight for the rights of immigrants, and has lashed out at the court's decision.
"This rule harms our children and families in communities across the country. It hurts our economy and the healthcare of so many Californians," he said.
