Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sits for an interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier April 8, 2025. (Fox News/Special Report)
"We're going to be extremely, extremely aggressive. Now, hopefully it acts as a deterrent also."
The USDA is asking states to cross-check Social Security numbers with a death master file and to use the free Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system provided by the Department of Homeland Security for noncitizens applying for the benefits, among other steps to verify immigration status.
Rollins said it's "the president's vision to ensure that we're being the most efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars."
SNAP RECIPIENTS MAY BE BARRED FROM JUNK FOOD PURCHASES UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP BILL
"So, we think we'll be able to cut down on billions of fraud and save the taxpayers a lot of money," she said.
John Walk, acting deputy under secretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, wrote in a letter Thursday to state SNAP agencies, explaining the existing law.
"By law, only United States citizens and certain lawfully present aliens may receive SNAP benefits. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) established that ‘aliens within the Nation’s borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs.’ SNAP is not and has never been available to illegal aliens," Walk wrote.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee July 16, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"President Trump and his administration have put a laser focus on solving America’s chronic disease epidemic, and reforming our food stamp program is a great place to start," Sanders said in a news release April 15.
"Banning soda and candy from food stamps will remove some of the least healthy, most processed foods from the program and encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better."
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-admin-demands-crackdown-illegal-immigrants-potentially-taking-advantage-key-benefit