Trump admin demands crackdown on illegal immigrants taking advantage of benefit

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cracking down on illegal immigrants using food stamps, demanding that states ensure that those in the country illegally are not receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This effort is in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order from February, which aims to improve methods for verifying eligibility for federal benefits.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized the need for states to comply with the executive order, stating that arrests have already been made in Minnesota, New York, and Colorado, with more enforcement actions to come. The USDA is taking a proactive approach to prevent fraud and safeguard taxpayer dollars, as illegal immigrants are already prohibited from using SNAP benefits.

To verify immigration status, the USDA is urging states to cross-check Social Security numbers with a death master file and utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system provided by the Department of Homeland Security for noncitizens applying for benefits. These measures are intended to cut down on fraud and save taxpayers money, in line with the president’s vision for efficient and effective use of federal funds.

John Walk, acting deputy under secretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, highlighted the existing law that restricts SNAP benefits to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present aliens. He emphasized that SNAP is not available to illegal aliens, as established by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

The crackdown on illegal immigrants accessing SNAP benefits comes at a time when there is increased scrutiny on eligibility for benefits across various state programs. In California, there has been debate over the enrollment of illegal immigrants in the state’s Medicaid program without consideration of their immigration status, leading to concerns about the program’s financial sustainability.

In addition to addressing immigration-related issues, SNAP has faced calls for reform in several states regarding the types of food that can be purchased with benefits. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently requested permission from the USDA to ban the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits, while adding healthier options like rotisserie chicken to the list of eligible items.

Overall, the USDA’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants accessing SNAP benefits align with the administration’s focus on safeguarding taxpayer dollars and promoting accountability in federal assistance programs. By enforcing existing laws and implementing measures to verify eligibility, the USDA aims to ensure that SNAP benefits are used appropriately and efficiently.