February 25, 2025
USDA mandates immigration checks for SNAP violating Food Security Act
Trump ends DEI in nutrition aid, requires immigration checks for SNAP
📋Public Policy✊Civil Rights
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).
📋Public Policy✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
How many Americans rely on SNAP food assistance benefits?
Q2
What did USDA say it would do regarding states with "sanctuary" policies that protect undocumented immigrants?
Q3
The Thrifty Food Plan that increased SNAP benefits was updated in what year under Biden?
Q4
How many Americans receive WIC benefits for pregnant women, infants, and children?
Q5
How many languages did FNS translate key materials into to improve access?
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
President Donald Trump
signed the Executive Order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” on Feb. 19, 2025, mandating state verification of immigration status for SNAP.
President Donald Trump
issued the Executive Order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” removing DEI programs from nutrition assistance.
Brooke L. Rollins (Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture)
signed the Feb. 19, 2025, USDA letter to governors on SNAP immigration enforcement.
Glenn Thompson (Chairman, House Agriculture Committee)
stated his panel would not force an overhaul of SNAP benefit formulas to fund tax cuts (Washington Post committee opposition).
John Boozman (Chairman, Senate Agriculture Committee)
told The Washington Post he is “not in favor of reducing benefits” for SNAP recipients (Washington Post committee opposition).