USDA Demands States Ensure Illegal Immigrants Aren't Using Food Stamps

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is requiring states to intensify checks to ensure illegal immigrants do not receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, following a Trump administration executive order. Only U.S. citizens and certain legal noncitizens are eligible for SNAP, but the USDA is mandating stricter verification steps, such as cross-checking Social Security numbers with federal death records and using the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system to confirm the immigration status of applicants. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that arrests related to SNAP fraud have already occurred in Minnesota, New York, and Colorado, and emphasized an aggressive approach aimed at deterring future abuse. The administration asserts that these measures will cut down on billions in fraud and safeguard taxpayer dollars, aligning with existing federal law that bars illegal immigrants from accessing SNAP. USDA officials reiterated that SNAP is not and has never been available to illegal immigrants, and that the crackdown is intended to ensure efficient use of federal resources. The policy has generated support among those concerned with fraud prevention, while its broader social impacts remain under discussion.