The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with various federal agencies, has clarified its interpretation of “federal public benefit” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. This clarification is part of a broader initiative to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing government assistance, as emphasized by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.
Rollins highlighted concerns regarding the misuse of taxpayer funds and indicated that the USDA is committed to reducing fraud and abuse within its programs. On her first day in office, she communicated her vision to state, tribal, territorial, and local government partners, emphasizing the importance of protecting both participants in benefit programs and taxpayers.
In line with these objectives, on April 24, 2025, the USDA issued guidance mandating enhanced identity and immigration verification processes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive benefits. This move aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14218, aimed at curbing taxpayer support for open borders.
Furthermore, on May 6, 2025, the department instructed state agencies to share all SNAP-related records with the federal government to enable real-time data analysis and improve program transparency, as part of efforts outlined in Executive Order 14243, which focuses on eliminating waste, fraud, and information silos.
