A recent federal court ruling has halted the Trump administration's ability to impose fines on states for their management of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). On November 26, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the federal government, which sought to restrict SNAP benefits for lawful permanent residents. This guidance included provisions for significant financial penalties against states that did not comply.

Attorney General James criticized the federal government's actions, stating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lacked the authority to exclude specific groups from SNAP benefits and emphasized the importance of ensuring that no individuals go hungry due to their immigration status. Following the lawsuit, the administration revised its guidance to confirm that lawful permanent residents, including former refugees and asylees, are eligible for SNAP benefits.

Despite this reversal, the federal government continued to threaten states with fines, claiming they had not adhered to a grace period for implementing the new guidance. However, the latest guidance was issued shortly before the deadline, and federal regulations stipulate a grace period of 120 days.

In response to these developments, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued a temporary order blocking the imposition of fines while the legal case is ongoing. Attorney General James expressed gratitude for the court's decision, highlighting the critical role of SNAP in supporting vulnerable populations, particularly during the holiday season.