The Trump administration is facing a new legal battle over its immigration policies after a group of states and major cities filed lawsuits seeking to stop a new rule involving public benefits and green-card applications.

The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, is scheduled to take effect Friday. If implemented, immigration officials would have greater authority to consider an immigrant’s use of certain government benefits when deciding whether they qualify for permanent legal status.

Programs such as food assistance and Medicaid could become part of that consideration.

Supporters of the policy argue that immigrants seeking permanent residency should be able to demonstrate that they can support themselves without becoming heavily dependent on government assistance. The administration says the change is intended to protect public resources and return to a stricter interpretation of the “public charge” standard.

Opponents see it very differently.

Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., have joined one of the legal challenges, while several major cities have filed another lawsuit. They argue that the administration has gone beyond its legal authority and that the rule could create confusion for immigrant families who may be afraid to use benefits they are legally eligible to receive.

The lawsuits are now heading into federal court as the policy approaches its planned implementation date.

The dispute is the latest example of the continuing legal battles surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda — and the courts could ultimately determine how far the administration can go with the new policy.

For immigrant families across the country, the outcome could have significant consequences.