States Blocked From Losing Food Aid Funding Over Data Demands

A federal judge in San Francisco stopped the Trump administration from cutting off money to 22 states that run food stamp programs. The move came after the Department of Agriculture (USDA) asked those states to hand over personal data on millions of people receiving aid. The judge said the USDA’s request, which included names, addresses and immigration status of recipients, was illegal. It also threatened to cut funding unless the states complied. The agency claimed it needed the data to fight waste and fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). But the court saw the request as a violation of SNAP rules and a risk that sensitive information could be shared with unauthorized parties.About 42 million people rely on SNAP, a program largely paid for by the federal government but run at the state level. Illegal immigrants are not eligible, yet their data could still be requested under the new demands. Twenty‑eight states—most led by Republicans—have already sent the requested information to USDA, but several states including California, New York and Arizona challenged the request. The judge’s order protects the privacy of vulnerable people, especially those in immigrant communities, and keeps the program funded while the legal battle continues.