AG James Blocks Trump’s SNAP Data Grab

New York Attorney General Letitia James has scored a significant victory for the rights of millions by securing a court order that blocks the Trump administration’s attempt to seize sensitive data from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. In a lawsuit filed against the USDA, James and a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general argue that the administration’s demand for personal information, including home addresses and Social Security numbers, violates federal privacy laws.

The court has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the USDA from demanding states turn over this confidential data, which could have been used for immigration enforcement. ‘No one should fear their food assistance will be used against them,’ James declared, emphasizing the importance of this decision in safeguarding the privacy of vulnerable populations.

Since 2020, the USDA has pressed states to submit personally identifying information from SNAP applicants and recipients under threat of funding cuts. This latest court ruling comes as a reprieve for state governments facing an impossible choice between complying with illegal requests or protecting their citizens’ privacy.

The lawsuit notes that while non-citizens are generally ineligible for SNAP, federal law allows non-citizen parents to apply for benefits on behalf of citizen children. With over 1.7 million New York households participating in the program, this ruling could impact millions nationwide.

Joining James in the suit were AGs from Arizona, California, Colorado, and other states, as well as Kentucky’s state government. The court’s decision not only halts the USDA’s demand but also prevents any potential funding cuts to the SNAP program.

RELATED: James Blocks Trump’s Illegal Funding Freeze

RELATED: James Blocks Trump’s $10 Billion Welfare Freeze