A coalition of 21 states, led by New York and California, has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stop its demand for the immigration status and other personal data of all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The USDA set a deadline of July 30, 2025, for states to comply or risk losing federal SNAP funding, putting millions of families’ food assistance at risk.
The lawsuit, announced on July 28, 2025, in a California federal court, seeks an immediate injunction to block the USDA’s order. New York Attorney General Letitia James called the request “outrageous” and said the state “will not allow this life-saving program to be illegally used to hunt down immigrants and their families.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the USDA’s actions as “an illegal data grab designed to scare people away from public assistance programs.”
What the USDA Is Demanding
The USDA has ordered states to turn over five years’ worth of data on all SNAP applicants and household members. This includes:
- Names
- Social Security numbers
- Birth dates
- Addresses
- Transactional records
- Immigration status
States must submit this information by July 30, 2025, unless a judge grants an extension or blocks the order. The USDA says it needs this data to fight fraud and make sure only eligible people get benefits. According to a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, about $10.5 billion in improper SNAP payments were made, which is around 12% of total SNAP funds.
Why States Are Pushing Back
The coalition of states, including New York, argues that the USDA’s demand breaks federal privacy laws and goes beyond what the agency is allowed to do. They say this is an “illegal data grab” meant to scare immigrant communities and keep them from applying for help. The states also claim that the USDA’s request could lead to fewer families getting the food assistance they need, especially in mixed-status households where some family members are immigrants.
Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, said, “We will not allow this life-saving program to be illegally used to hunt down immigrants and their families.” Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, added that the USDA’s actions amount to “widespread surveillance under the guise of fighting fraud.”
USDA’s Position and Federal Policy
USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins defended the policy, saying it is needed to “eliminate bureaucratic duplication and inefficiency” and to “detect overpayments and fraud.” The USDA’s actions follow President Trump’s Executive Order 14218, which requires federal agencies to make sure only eligible people get federal benefits and to exclude “ineligible aliens.”
In April 2025, the USDA issued new guidance for states, including:
- Getting more reliable identity documents from SNAP applicants
- Using the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system (now free for states) to check immigration status
- Increasing in-person interviews and identity checks
- Stopping the use of pre-filled application forms
The Trump administration has also expanded data-sharing agreements with immigration enforcement agencies, including sharing IRS and Medicaid data to help find people who might be subject to deportation.
Who Is Affected in New York
Nearly 3 million people in New York State and 1.8 million in New York City receive SNAP benefits, including about 500,000 children. While undocumented immigrants cannot get SNAP for themselves, they can apply for their U.S. citizen children. State officials and advocates warn that the USDA’s demand could scare eligible families—especially those with both citizens and non-citizens in the household—away from applying for or continuing to receive benefits.
Risks for States and Families
States that do not comply with the USDA’s order risk losing federal SNAP funding. This could disrupt food assistance for millions of people. The fear is that families who need help the most may stop seeking benefits because they worry their personal information could be used for immigration enforcement.
Advocates call this a “chilling effect,” where people avoid programs they are legally allowed to use because they are afraid of what might happen if their information is shared.
Step-by-Step: What Happens Next
- USDA Issues Demand: States receive notice to submit five years of SNAP recipient data, including immigration status, by July 30, 2025.
- States Respond: States must either comply, seek legal relief, or risk losing federal SNAP funds.
- Legal Action: The coalition files a lawsuit seeking an injunction to block the USDA order and prevent penalties.
- Judicial Review: A federal judge will decide whether to halt the USDA’s deadline while the case is heard.
- Possible Outcomes: The court may grant an injunction, uphold the USDA’s authority, or require changes to the data request.
USDA issued new guidance for states
Lawsuit announced in California federal court
Deadline for states to comply with USDA’s demand
Potential judicial review of USDA’s order
Federal court’s decision on the lawsuit
Expert Opinions and Broader Impact
Legal experts say the USDA’s demand likely goes beyond what the law allows and may break privacy rules. They point out that asking for five years of data on all SNAP recipients is unprecedented. Immigrant advocates warn that the policy could lead to more families being separated or deported, especially in mixed-status households.
The USDA and the Trump administration argue that stricter checks are needed because of high rates of improper payments. They say the new rules will help make sure only those who qualify get benefits.
What’s Next for SNAP Recipients and States
The federal court’s decision on whether to block the USDA’s deadline is expected soon, as the July 30, 2025, deadline approaches. The outcome will set a precedent for how much control the federal government has over state-run benefit programs and how personal data can be used for immigration enforcement.
If the USDA wins, states may have to routinely share sensitive data on millions of people, which could lower participation in programs like SNAP and reduce public trust. If the states win, it could limit how much personal information the federal government can demand from states.
Practical Guidance for SNAP Recipients
- Stay Informed: Watch for updates from your state’s SNAP office or local legal aid groups.
- Know Your Rights: Undocumented parents can still apply for SNAP for their U.S. citizen children.
- Seek Help: If you have questions or concerns, contact your local SNAP office or a trusted community organization.
Official Resources
For more information about SNAP and your rights, visit the official USDA SNAP Program page.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this legal fight between New York, other states, and the USDA could change how personal data is handled in public benefit programs and may have lasting effects on immigrant families and food assistance nationwide.
The next steps depend on the court’s decision, which will shape the future of SNAP recipients’ privacy and access to essential benefits. Families and advocates across New York and the country are watching closely, hoping for a result that protects both privacy and the right to food assistance.
Learn Today
USDA → U.S. Department of Agriculture overseeing federal nutrition programs like SNAP and enforcing related policies.
SNAP → Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food aid to eligible low-income individuals and families.
Injunction → A court order that temporarily stops an action, like blocking USDA’s data demand on SNAP recipients.
SAVE system → Department of Homeland Security database used to verify immigration status for federal program eligibility.
Privacy laws → Federal and state rules protecting personal information from unauthorized collection or disclosure.
This Article in a Nutshell
A coalition of 21 states sued USDA to stop forced disclosure of SNAP recipients’ immigration data. This controversial demand risks millions’ food assistance, highlighting privacy and legal battles ahead. Experts warn it could deter immigrant families, disrupting a vital safety net widely used across the U.S. The court’s decision is pending.
— By VisaVerge.com
