Summary
A federal judge paused the Trump administration's plan to withhold SNAP (food stamp) funding from 22 states that refused to share detailed personal data of benefit recipients. The states argued that the data request violated privacy laws and the U.S. Constitution. The judge's decision temporarily prevents the government from cutting funds while the legal battle continues.
Key Facts
- The court case involves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps.
- SNAP is a federal program aiding about 40 million people in the U.S., administered by states.
- The USDA required states to provide personal data about SNAP recipients, including Social Security numbers, under a new executive order.
- The administration's goal was to combat waste and fraud in public assistance programs.
- The judge issued a preliminary injunction, stopping the USDA from withholding funding from states that refused to share data.
- The 22 states challenging the order are led by Democratic governors and cited concerns over privacy and constitutional rights.
- The USDA stated that 28 states, mostly Republican-led, have complied with the data request.
- Concerns were raised about how the data might be used, particularly regarding immigration enforcement.
