New York – In a bold legal move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has spearheaded a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to block proposed cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for lawful permanent residents.
The coalition of 21 attorneys general argues that the USDA’s new guidance violates federal law by declaring certain legal immigrants, including refugees and asylees, ineligible for food assistance. The lawsuit claims that this move is part of a broader effort to restrict access to vital social services.
“The federal government’s shameful quest to take food away from children and families continues,” said Attorney General James. “My office will always fight to protect Americans’ SNAP benefits, and I will do everything in my power to shield New Yorkers from this unlawful policy.”
The USDA’s guidance, issued under the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”, asserts that anyone entering through humanitarian pathways would remain permanently ineligible for SNAP, even after obtaining green cards. The attorneys general contend that this goes against federal law, which states that refugees and other humanitarian entrants become eligible for SNAP once they obtain their green cards.
Moreover, the lawsuit argues that the USDA’s interpretation of a 120-day grace period is unlawful, as it expired only one day after the memo was released. This has forced states to overhaul their eligibility systems overnight, threatening program stability and increasing the risk of wrongful terminations.
The proposed changes have already sparked widespread concern among families who rely on SNAP for basic needs. Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, USDA’s interpretation could lead to extreme fines that could force some states to shut down their SNAP programs entirely, leaving millions without access to essential food assistance.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: NY AG
- Category: Public Corruption|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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