Back in August, New York state joined Connecticut and Vermont in a lawsuit against the “public charge” rule, which would deny green cards and visas to immigrants who used public assistance currently or in the past.

On Friday, a judge stalled the rule that was set to go into effect October 15.

"The new public charge rule was nothing more than an effort to penalize immigrants for their use of vital non-cash benefit programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and housing assistance, programs that are designed to encourage upward mobility,” said New York state Attorney General Letitia James. 

All parties in the suit argued that the rule had long-term ramifications on the public's health and overall economy.

Hours after the ruling, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli tweeted that long-standing federal law requires immigrants to rely on their own capabilities.

Local Immigration attorney Jamie Fiegel says the new rule would have affected many of her clients and recent graduates with overwhelming student debt in Western New York.

“You have to take into consideration all the assets and all the debt. For students it’s almost all debt, so are they likely to become a public charge in the minds of the government — possibly,” said Fiegel.

Fiegel says the new rule and form would also impact international marriages. 

"We are right here on the border in Buffalo and Canadian citizens make up such a big part of our economy as well," added Fiegel. "It's very common for U.S. and Canadian relationships to occur."

In a statement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, "The federal court's decision to block the public charge rule is an important win for our country and sends a clear message that we will not these allow hateful policies imposed by the Trump administration to tear our country apart.”

Nearly 500,000 immigrants across New York would have been affected had this new rule become effective Tuesday.

Attorney General James says it is possible for the federal government to appeal. 

Meanwhile, attorneys in Western New York are warning the immigrant population that this is a temporary stop to the legislation.

Lawyers suggest that immigrants should seek proper counsel to learn more about the rule should it ever become law.