Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to collect personal data from millions of federal food assistance recipients. The USDA’s initiative involves gathering sensitive information on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, including citizenship status, to aid in immigration enforcement and fraud detection efforts. This data collection, outlined in a May 6 letter referencing President Trump’s executive order, has raised alarm among lawmakers who question the necessity and potential risks associated with such a broad data collection effort.

In response, 35 Democratic members of Congress, led by Rep. Lori Trahan and Rep. Angie Craig, have penned a letter urging the USDA to halt data collection activities until further clarification is provided. They argue that existing quality control measures can address fraud concerns without compromising individuals’ privacy and cybersecurity. The lawmakers criticize the administration for its extensive data collection practices, which they believe violate privacy laws and erode public trust in federal programs.

Following a federal lawsuit and subsequent court filing confirming that data collection had not yet commenced, the USDA has instructed EBT processors to pause data transfers pending further review. Lawmakers have given Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins until June 30 to address specific questions regarding data sharing practices, storage, access, and compliance with privacy regulations. This ongoing debate underscores the delicate balance between government oversight, data privacy, and program integrity within federal assistance programs like SNAP.