State Attorneys General Challenge Trump’s Data Demand on SNAP Recipients
By Kimberly Kindy, Associated Press
Washington (AP) — A coalition of 20 state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contesting its request for personal data from individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The coalition fears that the data, which includes private information like immigration status and home addresses, could be misused for mass deportations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) demanded the data from states, claiming it would help combat fraud within the program, which assists over 42 million people nationwide. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the move as a "bait-and-switch," arguing that recipients provided their information solely to receive food assistance, not to aid government surveillance.
Immigration and data privacy advocates have expressed concerns, noting the administration’s past use of similar data requests to bolster deportation efforts. While the USDA indicated it requires the data for program integrity, its lack of clarity on how the data will curb fraud raised alarms.
The lawsuit aims to block the data transfer, as states assert that compliance might violate privacy laws. USDA officials have threatened to cut SNAP funding to states that do not comply with the data request, exacerbating fears over the administration’s intentions.
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