USDA mandates immigration checks for SNAP violating Food Security Act

More than 41 million Americans use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), facing potential benefit cuts or new restrictions (Washington Post SNAP committee chairs).

On Feb. 19, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” directing states to verify immigration status for SNAP applicants (USDA SNAP governor letter).

President Donald Trump’s Executive Order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” mandates the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from federal nutrition assistance (FRAC DEI rollback analysis).

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA, PL 104-193) of 1996 generally prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits (USDA letter on immigration).

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA must update the Thrifty Food Plan every five years, beginning in 2022 (Washington Post farm bill mandate).

A full repeal of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan modifications would cut an estimated $274 billion in food assistance over 10 years (American Progress SNAP cuts).

SNAP and WIC programs were exempt from the federal funding freeze announced in Jan. 2025 (Reuters nutrition programs protected).

The 🏛️Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) translated key SNAP materials into 55 languages to improve access for non-English speakers (FRAC equity improvements).

FNS will identify and effectuate measures consistent with law to prevent federal resources from supporting “sanctuary” policies in state or local jurisdictions (USDA sanctuary policy letter).

The Community Eligibility Provision allows qualifying schools to serve free meals to all students without individual applications (FRAC Project 2025 school meals).