California AG concerned USDA SNAP data sharing may aid immigration enforcement

CALIFORNIA – California attorney general Rob Bonta, joined by 13 other attorneys general, criticized a USDA proposal to share SNAP recipient data with other federal agencies for non-program related purposes.

SNAP is a federal program that provides food aid to millions of low-income families nationwide. Applicants share personal data with states under laws ensuring it won’t be used for unrelated purposes.

In a letter, Bonta and the coalition call USDA’s actions unnecessary, inefficient and unlawful.

“I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and abandon its unprecedented proposal to share SNAP data for purposes far beyond ensuring the integrity of this program,” said Bonta.

Collecting data for undisclosed uses, including immigration enforcement

Since President Donald Trump’s return, reports suggest federal officials are collecting large personal data sets for undisclosed uses, including immigration enforcement, according to Bonta.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has obtained personal and medical data from the IRS and HHS, including Medicaid details, which California is challenging in courts.

Bonta says USDA’s push for SNAP data appears to be the next step in this effort.

USDA requested five years of applicant data

In May 2025, USDA requested states provide five years of SNAP applicant and recipient data, including Social Security numbers and addresses.

“FNS will use the data it receives from processors to ensure program integrity, including by verifying the eligibility of benefit recipients,” wrote the USDA in a statement.

It added this will ensure Americans in need receive assistance, while at the same time safeguarding taxpayer dollars from abuse.

In June, USDA announced plans to expand data-sharing across federal and state systems to address improper payments.

CA’s application says immigration status will not be used for non-SNAP purposes

The attorneys general state that USDA’s actions raise concerns about privacy and compliance with existing SNAP data protections.

The letter states California’s application for SNAP is particularly explicit that immigration status will not be used for non-SNAP purposes:

Important Information for Noncitizens

You can apply for and get [benefits] for people who are eligible . . . [such as] immigrant parents may apply for . . . their U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant children, even though the parents may not be eligible.… Immigration information is private and confidential . . . [but may be] checked with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Federal law says the USCIS cannot use the information for anything else except cases of fraud.

Request duplicates existing state checks

The attorneys general also cite the Paperwork Reduction Act and note USDA’s data request duplicates existing state checks.

Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.