• Twenty states and D.C. sue the USDA over demands for SNAP recipients' personal data.
• The lawsuit alleges violations of federal privacy laws and the Constitution.
• California's Attorney General labels the data request an "illegal data grab."
• The USDA insists the data is needed to combat fraud and abuse in the SNAP program.
• States face funding threats from the USDA if they do not comply by the July 30 deadline.

A coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over a recent demand for extensive personal information regarding recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The USDA has requested states to submit sensitive details including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and household immigration statuses by a deadline of July 30, asserting it is necessary to strengthen program integrity to combat fraud. However, the lawsuit argues that this demand violates federal privacy laws and the U.S. Constitution, creating a culture of fear among low-income families applying for aid, according to NPR, Los Angeles Times, and The Hill.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and joined by New York Attorney General Letitia James, argues that the data request is not about enhancing transparency but rather represents an "illegal data grab" aimed at surveilling individuals seeking assistance. Bonta emphasizes that this demand breaches established trust between the federal government and citizens, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who rely on the program for food and essential services, as reported by Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.

The USDA contends that fulfilling this data request is critical for verifying the eligibility of SNAP beneficiaries and preventing fraud, a stance backed by a directive issued under President Trump’s executive order aiming for greater access to data across government programs. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins stated that the initiative would enhance the government’s ability to effectively manipulate and use data, asserting that it does not represent an infringement on privacy, according to Newsweek and The Hill.

Many states that have traditionally collected this data for determining eligibility are now expressing resistance, with concerns that failure to comply may lead to federal funding being withheld. California's Attorney General noted the potential catastrophic impact this would have on families dependent on SNAP, further bringing to light worries about the broader implications of using such data in immigration enforcement efforts, as highlighted in statements by Bonta in NPR, Los Angeles Times, and Newsweek.

This legal action follows a previous lawsuit from a group of SNAP recipients and advocacy organizations that raised similar privacy concerns. Legal experts suggest this case underlines increasing tensions between state officials and the federal government regarding the treatment and handling of sensitive personal data, as noted in Los Angeles Times and The Hill.