State Attorneys General Sue Trump Administration Over Data Demand in SNAP Lawsuit
By KIMBERLY KINDY, Associated Press
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s request for personal data of individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The attorneys general fear that this information could be used to facilitate mass deportations.
The Trump administration has been gathering private information on lower-income individuals, potentially including those who are undocumented immigrants. This data collection effort extends to various federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture instructed states to provide data on SNAP recipients by a certain deadline. The stated purpose of this data collection is to combat fraud, waste, and abuse within the program.
The lawsuit seeks to block the transfer of this data, as the attorneys general argue that disclosing sensitive information such as immigration status, birthdates, and addresses would violate privacy laws. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the administration’s actions, stating that SNAP recipients did not consent to being part of a government surveillance database.
The Department of Agriculture’s request for SNAP data is part of President Trump’s executive order to enhance oversight of federal programs. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins emphasized the importance of ensuring that SNAP benefits are allocated only to eligible individuals.
While the USDA has not explicitly linked this data collection to immigration enforcement, concerns have been raised about the administration’s potential misuse of the information. Similar efforts to obtain sensitive data in the past have resulted in enhanced deportation operations.
Immigration advocates and data privacy experts have voiced alarm over the administration’s actions, particularly in light of threats to withhold SNAP funding from states that do not comply with the data request.
Despite immigrants without legal status being ineligible for SNAP benefits, concerns remain about the implications for mixed-status households and children of undocumented individuals who may be receiving assistance.
The legal challenges against the USDA’s data collection efforts underscore broader concerns about privacy rights and government surveillance practices.
Originally Published: July 28, 2025 at 5:24 PM MDT
