A coalition of 21 attorneys general have sued to block new guidance from the US Department of Agriculture that declares some immigrants, together with refugees and people granted asylum, ineligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the coalition of different Democratic attorneys general, stated in a statement Wednesday that the Trump administration is illegally reducing off benefits for tens of 1000’s of lawful everlasting residents.
The USDA offered the brand new guidance to states narrowing SNAP eligibility final month, aligning with rollbacks of this system outlined in President Donald Trump’s home coverage legislation that handed earlier this 12 months.
The attorneys general argue within the lawsuit that the memo goes past what the legislation prescribes since it could make anybody who entered the nation by way of humanitarian safety applications completely ineligible for SNAP benefits — often known as meals stamps — even when they turn out to be authorized residents.
The group of attorneys general warn that the USDA’s guidance, which prompts a swift overhaul of eligibility techniques, “threatens to destabilize SNAP nationwide,” and will put important monetary pressure on states that would have to shoulder the price of fines.
The lawsuit asks a federal choose in Oregon to vacate and block the implementation of the USDA’s guidance.
The submitting comes simply days after a federal choose in Virginia dismissed an indictment in opposition to James, whom President Donald Trump has considered as a political opponent.
NCS has reached out to the US Department of Agriculture concerning the lawsuit.
This is a creating story and can be up to date.