New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Monday that she is co-leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration for attempting to block undocumented immigrants from receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The lawsuit was filed just two days before a July 30 deadline issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which demanded that states turn over personal data on SNAP recipients and applicants—including immigration status. James called the request “flat-out illegal,” noting that state law prohibits disclosing such information unless absolutely necessary.
“This latest action from this administration is nothing more than an attempt to sow fear and to cause chaos among the most vulnerable populations,” James said during a press call. “We are suing to uphold the rule of law, to protect the sensitive personal information of everyone who receives SNAP benefits, and to ensure that this administration does not use critical and necessary food assistance to target immigrant communities.”
James is leading the legal challenge alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Together, they represent a coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., in opposition to the USDA’s data request.
The USDA’s July 23 mandate required states to submit a list of individuals who have applied for or are receiving SNAP benefits, along with their immigration statuses. The move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to restrict access to federal benefits for undocumented immigrants, including food stamps and housing aid.
The lawsuit also comes as SNAP faces significant funding cuts under the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to reduce federal spending on the program by nearly $187 billion over the next decade.
SNAP currently supports more than 42.7 million Americans per month—around 12.3% of the U.S. population, according to USDA data from fiscal year 2024.
This lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges mounted by Democratic attorneys general against Trump administration policies they say violate constitutional protections.
Meanwhile, Letitia James is under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged mortgage fraud. Officials claim she listed two properties as her primary residence, including one in Norfolk, Virginia, while primarily working in New York City. James previously sued Donald Trump for alleged business fraud.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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