A U.S. District Court has invalidated Trump administration guidance restricting food assistance eligibility for certain lawfully residing non-citizens, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta challenged the guidance as part of a multistate coalition that sued over restrictions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance on October 31, 2025, that restricted SNAP eligibility for certain lawfully residing non-citizens, even though they are eligible when they become lawful permanent residents, according to the coalition's lawsuit. The Trump administration also failed to provide the standard 120-day grace period that typically follows new government guidance.
The Trump administration issued additional guidance on December 9 and 10 clarifying that certain lawfully residing non-citizens are eligible for SNAP when they become lawful permanent residents, but did not provide the required grace period.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon vacated the administration's guidance and blocked penalties against California for the federal errors. "There is no excuse for defending sloppiness, particularly sloppiness that would have ripped vital food assistance away from eligible families in need," Bonta said.