The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a directive on April 24 instructing states to implement measures preventing unauthorized immigrants from accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly referred to as food stamps.
In a memorandum to state agencies, USDA Acting Deputy Undersecretary John Walk outlined mandatory verification procedures. These include confirming applicant identities, collecting Social Security numbers, cross-referencing these numbers with federal death records, and screening applicants through Department of Homeland Security databases to verify legal status.
The directive was accompanied by correspondence from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, informing states they now have complimentary access to DHS databases for verification purposes. Additionally, Walk emphasized that state agencies must verify citizenship status for any applicants whose claims to U.S. citizenship appear questionable, whether through birth, naturalization, acquisition, or derivative means.
Current federal regulations restrict SNAP benefits to U.S. citizens and certain categories of legal immigrants, explicitly excluding those without proper documentation. A 2024 Government Accountability Office report revealed that approximately $10.5 billion, or 11.7 percent of SNAP benefits distributed in fiscal year 2023, were improperly paid, including disbursements to unauthorized immigrants. The report highlighted that states weren’t consistently verifying program eligibility requirements, particularly citizenship status.
The USDA is also promoting enhanced verification measures, suggesting states consider mandating citizenship verification for all SNAP applicants and increasing face-to-face interviews with applicants, both of which are permitted under existing law.
Walk addressed the issue of benefit fraud directly, stating, “Benefit fraud is unacceptable in all forms, including use by illegal aliens. This guidance serves as a foundation for future compliance endeavors that will not only deter, but end access to benefits by illegal aliens.”
The memorandum follows President Donald Trump’s executive order from February 19, which directed the USDA to maximize eligibility verification systems to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits exclude unauthorized immigrants who entered the country illegally or remain in the United States unlawfully.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins had previously communicated with states, emphasizing her commitment to minimizing fraud and waste while ensuring compliance with legal requirements. In a statement released Thursday, Rollins affirmed, “The days in which taxpayer dollars are used to subsidize illegal immigration are over. Today’s directive affirms that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will follow the law—full stop.”
The new guidelines represent a significant step in tightening control over SNAP benefit distribution and ensuring compliance with federal immigration laws. States are now equipped with both clear directives and enhanced tools to verify eligibility, including free access to federal databases that can help confirm an applicant’s legal status in the United States.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to ensure proper stewardship of public resources while maintaining program integrity. The emphasis on verification and compliance reflects a growing focus on preventing improper payments and ensuring that government assistance programs serve their intended beneficiaries in accordance with established laws and regulations.