California on Monday sharply criticized the Trump administration’s attempt to compel states to provide personal information of food stamp applicants. The state, joined by several others, alleges the administration is trying to build a database to target immigrants, while the White House claims the data is necessary for transparency. California and its allies argue this move rewrites rules to punish vulnerable people relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the demand a “betrayal” and vowed the state would not comply. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, includes 19 other state attorneys general. SNAP, federally funded but state-administered, helps millions afford food. The requested data includes Social Security numbers and addresses going back five years—information traditionally kept confidential. Bonta warned that withholding this data would be catastrophic if it led to funding cuts, noting California’s $1 billion annual SNAP budget is at risk. Other states, including New York and Michigan, echoed concerns, accusing the administration of weaponizing data against vulnerable families rather than combating fraud. Oregon’s attorney general also condemned the move, emphasizing SNAP’s importance for food security. This lawsuit follows previous legal actions by California over the administration’s handling of personal data, highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement and surveillance policies.