20 States Sue USDA Over SNAP Data Demand

A coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., led by attorneys general from California, New York, and Michigan, has sued the Trump administration to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture's demand for five years of personal data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, including Social Security numbers, addresses, and immigration status. The USDA threatened to withhold administrative funding from states that do not comply. State officials argue the demand violates federal privacy laws and the Constitution, erodes trust, and could be used to target immigrant communities and deter eligible families from seeking aid. The Trump administration contends the data is needed to verify eligibility and prevent fraud. The lawsuit also comes as the administration seeks to link SNAP data with IRS and Medicaid records for immigration enforcement. The case's outcome could affect millions of low-income households relying on SNAP for food security.