The lawsuit, filed by the attorneys general in Oregon, seeks to block the new USDA guidance that makes large swaths of individuals — including refugees and asylum seekers — ‘permanently ineligible’ for SNAP. The guidance, issued under the GOP-led Big Beautiful Bill, classifies certain immigrants as ineligible, despite their status as lawful permanent residents.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, among others, argued that the USDA guidance ‘blatantly misapplies the agency’s own regulations,’ putting the nation’s largest anti-hunger program at risk. He noted that the guidance could affect tens of thousands of individuals, including over 30,000 in New York alone. Bonta described the policy as ‘reading like someone took notes from the Grinch,’ implying it is unjust and overly restrictive.
The lawsuit also highlights the rushed nature of the guidance, which was published just a day after the spending bill was signed into law. States had limited time to comply, leading to potential disruptions in food aid distribution. The guidance ‘threatens to destabilize SNAP nationwide,’ potentially causing financial harm to both states and individuals who rely on the program. The attorneys general are demanding an emergency injunction to block the USDA’s changes, arguing that they contradict congressional intent and threaten the integrity of the anti-hunger program.
While it remains unclear how many individuals in each state will be affected, the lawsuit underscores growing concerns over the administration’s approach to immigration and food assistance. The legal battle is expected to have significant implications for the future of SNAP and the broader U.S. food aid system.