US attorneys general launch a lawsuit against Trump administration over SNAP program changes.
The Democratic attorneys general from 21 states have filed a complaint with the federal court in Oregon, seeking to block new guidance issued by the US Department of Agriculture that classifies thousands of immigrants as "permanently" ineligible for anti-hunger benefits. The guidance is seen as an attempt to rewrite rules intended by lawmakers and would cut off food assistance for people who are fully eligible under the law.
States claim that the new USDA memo threatens to destabilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest anti-hunger program, nationwide, and risks financial harm, including penalties issued to states who do not comply with the guidance.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the new USDA guidance in question "blatantly misapplies the agency's own regulations" for SNAP, a program that provides food aid to some 40 million Americans each month.
The lawsuit argues that immigrants who have been granted lawful permanent resident status in the US should be eligible for SNAP benefits once they obtain their green cards and meet standard program requirements.
California and New York are among the states most likely to be affected by the new guidance, with thousands of residents set to lose eligibility for anti-hunger benefits. The attorneys general estimated that up to 30,000 New Yorkers alone would face removal from the program.
The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Oregon to grant emergency relief and issue an order blocking the USDA guidance.
The Democratic attorneys general from 21 states have filed a complaint with the federal court in Oregon, seeking to block new guidance issued by the US Department of Agriculture that classifies thousands of immigrants as "permanently" ineligible for anti-hunger benefits. The guidance is seen as an attempt to rewrite rules intended by lawmakers and would cut off food assistance for people who are fully eligible under the law.
States claim that the new USDA memo threatens to destabilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest anti-hunger program, nationwide, and risks financial harm, including penalties issued to states who do not comply with the guidance.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the new USDA guidance in question "blatantly misapplies the agency's own regulations" for SNAP, a program that provides food aid to some 40 million Americans each month.
The lawsuit argues that immigrants who have been granted lawful permanent resident status in the US should be eligible for SNAP benefits once they obtain their green cards and meet standard program requirements.
California and New York are among the states most likely to be affected by the new guidance, with thousands of residents set to lose eligibility for anti-hunger benefits. The attorneys general estimated that up to 30,000 New Yorkers alone would face removal from the program.
The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Oregon to grant emergency relief and issue an order blocking the USDA guidance.
I'm not surprised the AGs are going after this, but can't they just let some common sense shine through? Like, isn't it obvious that immigrants who've got green cards should be eligible for SNAP? It's not rocket science, right? 
But no, we're stuck in a bureaucratic mess where politicians think they need to rewrite rules to fit their own agendas. 
And now thousands of people are gonna lose food assistance because of it? No thanks, not on my watch! 
I'm all for supporting our most vulnerable citizens, but can't we just get the politics out of this? 
I don't think it's fair to villainize Trump for trying to tighten up the system. Like, what if some people are eligible but aren't really in need of food? We shouldn't just keep giving them free stuff forever. 
The states are being super dramatic about this and I'm not sure they're thinking it through. A little bit of common sense is needed here... we can't let emotions get the best of us. 
... I get why the Democrats are fighting back, but can't we find some middle ground here? 
Maybe there's a way to tweak the program without gutting it entirely...
Like, isn't that supposed to be the point of having a green card - to make you eligible for benefits? 
I'm all for making sure people get their green cards, but can't we just have one set of rules that works for everyone?
this is just great another lawsuit to add to all the drama 
but 30k new Yorkers gonna lose food assistance? that's a lot of hunger pangs 
meanwhile trump admin thinks it can just rewrite rules willy nilly 
i'm all for fairness, but this feels like another example of the gov not having their act together 
. The idea that thousands of people will lose access to SNAP benefits just because of some clerical error or bureaucratic mix-up is not right 
. 
It's not like they're asking for handouts or anything, just some financial help when times are tough. And to think those 30,000 New Yorkers are gonna be kicked out... it's devastating. The fact that the USDA is trying to rewrite these rules without even consulting lawmakers is just shady. I'm keeping an eye on this one, hope the attorneys general in Oregon can stop this nonsense! 
. The SNAP program is already struggling as it is, do we really need more drama? 
. can't we just say people who are lawfully living here should be able to get food stamps too?! 
i know it's not that simple but come on, usa is supposed to be all about equality and fairness right? 
i cant even imagine how stressful it must be for them... u need to stay updated on this tho, its gonna be a wild ride 
It just doesn't add up.
According to the CDC, the majority of SNAP recipients are black or Hispanic women. Like, what's going on here?! 
.
. and now states are all up in arms because they don't wanna have to deal with the paperwork? that's just a cop-out 
. and btw, who decides what's "permanent" anyway? it's not like they can just magic up some new definition out of thin air 
it was always so heartwarming to see people from different backgrounds coming together over food. anyway, speaking of food, have you guys tried that new vegan spot downtown? i'm obsessed with their plant-based mac and cheese 
. This is a huge power grab by the Trump administration and it needs to stop ASAP 
