New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with a coalition of 20 other attorneys general and the state of Kentucky in a bold lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit targets the illegal demand for sensitive personal information from millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
In a fiery challenge, AG James argues that the data—ranging from Social Security numbers to home addresses—is intended for immigration enforcement and violates federal law. She vows to protect New Yorkers’ access to food assistance and privacy rights.
The lawsuit stems from an executive order signed in March mandating data sharing across federal agencies. The Trump administration has been pushing for access to Americans’ private information, a move AG James deems a direct threat to SNAP benefits and recipients’ well-being.
Since January 2020, the USDA has requested personally identifying information from all SNAP applicants and recipients, threatening funding cuts if states refuse compliance. This has left states in a difficult position: comply with illegal demands or uphold federal laws protecting privacy.
With over 40 million Americans relying on SNAP for food assistance, the stakes are high. AG James and her coalition seek a court judgment declaring the administration’s policy illegal and halting any further enforcement of the data-sharing demands.
The lawsuit also argues that the administration’s demands are unconstitutional and violate the Administrative Procedure Act by compelling states to break federal laws. This legal battle over SNAP data privacy could have far-reaching implications for millions of American families who depend on this vital assistance program.
RELATED: AG James vs. Fed’s Illegal Guard Deployment
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Public Corruption|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More