Under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the USDA has issued guidance to state agencies to strengthen SNAP eligibility verification and ensure illegal immigrants do not receive federal benefits.
The move seeks to align the department with President Trump’s executive order seeking to end taxpayer subsidization of the open borders crisis.
“President Trump has made it clear that American taxpayers will no longer subsidize illegal aliens,” Secretary Rollins said in a statement Thursday. “We are stewards of taxpayer dollars, and it is our duty to ensure states confirm the identity and verify the immigration status of SNAP applicants.”
“USDA’s nutrition programs are intended to support the most vulnerable Americans. To allow those who broke our laws by entering the United States illegally to receive these benefits is outrageous.”
It is another common-sense move the new administration is taking to discourage illegals from attempting to game the system.
President Trump’s executive order, issued on February 19th, “directs Federal departments and agencies to identify all federally funded programs currently providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and take corrective action.”
“President Trump is committed to safeguarding Federal public benefits for American citizens who are truly in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans,” a White House fact sheet reads.
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack conceded in congressional testimony during the Biden administration that some people classified as illegal may receive benefits, but he insisted it was a small percentage.
Following a review initiated in February, Rollins contends the amounts are unacceptably high.
“A staggering $10.5 billion in improper SNAP payments were made in FY 2023 alone—about 12% of total SNAP payments that year,” a press release from the USDA claims.
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