Immigrants Lose SNAP Benefits in House Budget Plan
Policy changes could restrict food assistance for thousands of immigrants.
WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Agriculture has released their budget reconciliation proposal amending the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, significantly impacting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Section 10012 revises SNAP eligibility by eliminating access for several categories of lawfully present immigrants, while Section 10011 repeals the National Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program. These changes aim to reduce federal spending but may exacerbate food insecurity among vulnerable populations.
The amended Section 6(f) removes SNAP eligibility for immigrants granted discretionary admission by the Attorney General, including those with permanent residence prior to June 30, 1948, conditional entrants, those granted humanitarian parole, or individuals with withheld deportation.
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Previously, these groups could qualify if they met income and residency requirements. The repeal of the grant program, known as SNAP-Ed, eliminates federal funding for nutrition education initiatives that supported low-income and immigrant communities in making healthier food choices.
In fiscal year 2023, SNAP served an average of 42.1 million participants monthly, but precise data on immigrant recipients is scarce. In 2022, approximately 50% of eligible non-citizens, including refugees and green card holders, participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a USDA report. This number is lower than the overall participation rate, which is 59% of eligible children living with non-citizen adults.
Participation among those who are entitled to receive SNAP is low due to concerns that it may negatively impact immigration proceedings. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that non-citizen immigrants face strict eligibility criteria, such as a five-year residency requirement for lawful permanent residents in many states, and undocumented immigrants are generally ineligible.
The policy is expected to affect thousands of immigrants, particularly those with complex immigration statuses, by removing their access to SNAP benefits. While exact numbers of impacted individuals are unavailable due to limited federal reporting, the changes could lead to increased food insecurity, especially for families with children.
The loss of SNAP-Ed funding may further hinder public health efforts, reducing resources for obesity prevention and nutrition education in immigrant communities. States may face pressure to cover these gaps, but fiscal constraints could limit such efforts, disproportionately harming low-income and immigrant populations.
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