The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to reassess its programs to guarantee that only legal citizens are receiving benefits, emphasized USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday.
During a discussion on December 1, Rollins reminded the public that the department has already reached out to states, making clear that illegal immigrants and certain noncitizens are not eligible for SNAP benefits.
“At this point, we are urging states to submit their recipient data so we can combat waste, fraud, and abuse. Some 22 Democratic-led states are resistant to providing their data, but we are vigorously pursuing compliance,” she said while expressing curiosity about what they might be concealing and thanking President Trump for his commitment to prioritizing American citizens.
In her remarks, she shared a part of President Trump’s statement from the day after Thanksgiving, highlighting that political correctness should not create division in the nation regarding immigration.
“Currently, the number of foreign nationals in the U.S. stands at about 53 million (according to the Census), many of whom rely on welfare from failing systems, prisons, mental health institutions, gangs, and drug cartels. These individuals often have good intentions but typically won’t voice their complaints publicly,” he noted, referencing a recent tragic event involving a military ambush that resulted in the death of one National Guardsman and left another in critical condition.
In his post, Trump stated, “To restore the American system, we will indefinitely pause immigration from all Third World countries, stop all illegal entries associated with Biden’s administration, expel those who do not contribute positively to our nation, end federal benefits for noncitizens, and deport anyone who disrupts domestic peace.” This includes foreign nationals with public responsibilities who pose risks or do not align with Western values.
To support these objectives, the USDA is playing its part, a goal that isn’t entirely new. Back in April, during Rollins’ tenure, Acting Secretary of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services John Walke provided guidance to state agencies aimed at improving identity and immigration verification practices for assessing SNAP eligibility.
“The message from President Trump is clear: American taxpayers will no longer support illegal immigrants. It is our responsibility to oversee taxpayer funds, ensuring states verify the identity and immigration status of those applying for SNAP benefits. Our programs are intended to aid the most vulnerable citizens,” Rollins remarked.
“It’s simply unacceptable for individuals who entered the U.S. unlawfully to benefit from these programs,” she added.
In July, the USDA issued a follow-up notice that clarified the interpretation of the term “federal public interest” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
