USDA tightens SNAP eligibility rules to prevent benefits for illegal immigrants

• The USDA has mandated that states implement stricter verification measures to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits, including identity checks, Social Security number validation and cross-referencing federal databases (DHS, Social Security Death Master File).
• The directive follows concerns over improper SNAP payments, including a 2024 GAO report finding that $10.5 billion (11.7 percent of 2023 SNAP benefits) were improperly distributed, partly due to insufficient eligibility verification.
• States are encouraged to require citizenship verification for all applicants, conduct more in-person interviews and scrutinize claims of U.S. citizenship (natural-born, naturalized or derivative).
• The move enforces President Donald Trump’s February 2024 directive to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits do not incentivize illegal immigration, with the USDA explicitly instructed to act.
• USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized an end to taxpayer-funded benefits for undocumented immigrants, stating the agency will enforce eligibility laws without exception.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has directed state agencies to implement stricter verification measures to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

In a memorandum issued Thursday, April 24, John Walk, the acting deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services of the USDA, outlined new requirements for states to prevent fraud. These requirements include verifying applicants’ identities, collecting Social Security numbers and cross-referencing federal databases to confirm immigration status to enforce eligibility rules for taxpayer-funded benefits. (Related: Sanctuary cities on notice: Trump ally’s legal group targets officials for violating immigration laws.)

In the memo, Walk instructed states to verify the identity of SNAP applicants, collect and validate Social Security numbers against the federal Social Security Death Master File, check applicants against a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database to confirm they are not unlawfully present in the U.S. and conduct additional verification if there are reasons to doubt an applicant’s claim to U.S. citizenship (whether natural born, naturalized, acquired or derivative).

States are also encouraged to require citizenship verification for all applicants and increase in-person interviews, which some state agencies had previously scaled back.

“Benefit fraud is unacceptable in all forms, including use by illegal aliens. This guidance serves as a foundation for future compliance endeavors that will not only deter but also end access to benefits by illegal aliens. I appreciate your attention and assistance in making certain only those eligible receive SNAP benefits,” Walk further stated.

States must now implement the new verification protocols, potentially leading to tighter screening and reduced improper payments. The USDA has not yet specified penalties for noncompliance but says the guidance is a first step toward broader enforcement measures.

Trump administration making sure that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to illegals

The new directive follows the Feb. 19 executive order of President Donald Trump, which called on federal agencies to strengthen eligibility verification systems to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive taxpayer-funded benefits. The order specifically directed the USDA to take action.

Trump wrote in the directive that the order seeks “to prevent taxpayer resources from acting as a magnet and fueling illegal immigration to the United States, and to ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.”

Technically, SNAP provides food assistance to eligible U.S. citizens and certain legal immigrants under federal law, while undocumented immigrants are excluded from receiving benefits. However, concerns have been raised about improper payments within the program.

According to a 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), approximately 11.7 percent of SNAP benefits distributed in fiscal year 2023, totaling $10.5 billion, were classified as improper. These included instances where ineligible recipients, including undocumented immigrants, may have received benefits. The report noted that states “did not always verify certain program eligibility requirements,” including citizenship.

But the Trump administration has made it a priority to address that issue.

“The days in which taxpayer dollars are used to subsidize illegal immigration are over. Today’s directive affirms that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will follow the law – full stop,” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said.

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Watch as Tom Homan explains how illegal immigrants are gaming the system.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FederalRegister.gov

Brighteon.com