AG James vs. Trump Admin: Battle Over SNAP Benefits for Immigrants

New York – In a bold move to protect the welfare of thousands, New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s attempt to strip Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents.

With over 35,000 New Yorkers at risk, AG James is leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general in challenging new USDA guidance that labels several groups of legal immigrants ineligible for food assistance. The lawsuit targets the USDA’s assertion that refugees, asylum seekers, and others admitted under humanitarian protection programs remain permanently ineligible for SNAP after obtaining permanent residency.

Attorney General James decried the move as ‘shameful,’ emphasizing the federal government’s unwarranted attempt to take away basic necessities from children and families. ‘USDA has no authority to arbitrarily cut entire groups of people out of the SNAP program, and no one should go hungry because of the circumstances of their arrival to this country,’ James stated.

The USDA guidance, issued on October 31 under the guise of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ has been criticized for overstepping its legal bounds. It asserts that individuals admitted through humanitarian pathways become permanently ineligible for SNAP, despite federal law clearly stating otherwise. This interpretation threatens to cut off food assistance for eligible recipients.

Additionally, the attorneys general argue that USDA’s application of its own regulations is flawed. They claim the agency’s reading of a 120-day grace period for states to update their systems is impossible to implement and renders the guidance unlawful. The directive could lead to widespread confusion and distrust among SNAP beneficiaries, while also imposing severe financial penalties on states.

AG James and her coalition are fighting to block this unlawful policy before it causes lasting harm, ensuring that New Yorkers and other eligible immigrants continue to receive the assistance they deserve. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing battle over social welfare programs and the rights of immigrants in the United States.

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