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3w ago

21 States and D.C. Sue to Block USDA SNAP Guidance on Immigrant Eligibility

Plaintiffs say the Oct. 31 memo misstates the statute, collapsing the normal 120‑day rollout window.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks during a press conference on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the U.S. Capitol on the 31st day of a government shutdown, Oct. 31, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
A man holds a sign reading "SNAP Feeds Families," as food aid benefits come under threat due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, during "A Rally for SNAP" on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., October 28, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
Image
A handwritten sign advertises that "Food Stamps (EBT)" are accepted at a convenience store, as tens of millions of Americans might not receive food stamps and other food aid in November because of the government shutdown, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S., October 24, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

Overview

  • Attorneys general filed the case in federal court in Eugene, Oregon, seeking to vacate and enjoin USDA’s Oct. 31 guidance.
  • States argue USDA wrongly lists refugees, asylees and humanitarian parolees as “not eligible” for SNAP even after they become lawful permanent residents.
  • Plaintiffs contend USDA improperly treated Nov. 1 as the effective date, eliminating the customary 120‑day period for states to update systems and notify recipients.
  • The coalition warns of steep fiscal penalties tied to error rates and says thousands could be cut off, including about 35,000 permanent residents in New York.
  • The challenge follows a shutdown that briefly paused November payments and coincides with new OBBBA work rules projected by CBO to trim average monthly SNAP enrollment by about 2.4 million, with CBPP estimating large state‑level losses.