As a Jewish organization, we hold the value of welcoming the stranger. The Torah teaches, “when an immigrant resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The immigrant who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were migrants in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:33).” We don’t need to look far to understand how to apply this in modern day. Immigrants are beloved members of our communities and essential to our country, and they should be treated as such. For the last year and a half, the Trump administration has pushed forward dehumanizing policies, to the detriment of low-income immigrants’ access to food.
Thousands automatically banned from food aid
On July 4th, 2025, the harmful so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) was signed into law. The act immediately cut off an estimated 90,000 immigrants per month from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Undocumented immigrants are not and never were eligible for SNAP, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s own website. However, some legally present immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence, and certain special immigrant visa holders could qualify for SNAP. OBBBA now restricts SNAP to the following immigrant populations: Green Card holders, certain Cuban-Haitian nationals, and people in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association. Notably, there are restrictions for the immigrant populations that remain eligible, including a five-year waiting period before they can apply for SNAP. This targeting of refugees, asylees, and others will have ripple effects and increase food insecurity among our immigrant neighbors who are trying to make a fresh start. The newly banned immigrants and their families who previously used SNAP are expected to lose roughly $210 in food assistance a month.
State-level reactions
Unfortunately, the harm does not stop with the enactment of OBBBA. This past legislative session, several states introduced bills further singling out immigrants. Louisiana passed a law to require the state’s SNAP administrators to submit information directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for individuals who are unable to verify their immigration status. Indiana followed suit, requiring thorough inspection of immigration status of SNAP applicants. Those who fail verification must be reported to the federal government. These laws create a chilling effect among immigrants, discouraging them from applying for benefits even when they may be eligible. This especially impacts parents or others applying on behalf of a family member who is eligible for benefits. There is no telling how many will forgo food assistance for fear of reprisal.
Despite these discouraging examples, there are also states that have stepped up to support the food security of immigrant families in the last year. California and Illinois are just two examples of states that have passed budgets to cover the new SNAP losses. California projects a loss of 72,000 immigrants from SNAP eligibility. State funds will now fill the gap and provide food assistance to all those who were eligible for SNAP prior to the passage of OBBBA. Similarly, Illinois created a new state food program, which offers immigrants and their families assistance if they are victims of trafficking or other crimes. It is encouraging to see states making up the difference to ensure their immigrant neighbors do not go hungry. Yet state budgets may not be able to make up for the termination of federal benefits in the long term.
Federal reversal is needed immediately
Recently proposed federal legislation, the LIFT the BAR Act, introduced by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rob Menendez (NJ-08), would eliminate many barriers currently barring immigrants from accessing federal assistance. MAZON has endorsed this bill, which is designed to lift the current restrictions on public benefits for lawfully present immigrants. If passed, it would restore eligibility for food assistance and health coverage to those stripped of it under OBBBA. It would also eliminate the five-year waiting period for green card holders to qualify for many federal programs, including SNAP and Medicaid. Furthermore, it would allow states to use their own funds to provide public benefits. The LIFT the BAR Act is essential to ensuring food security for immigrants and their families.
We demand better for our immigrant neighbors
The story of the Jewish people is one of exile and immigration. As we were once strangers, the Jewish response must continue to elevate the dangers immigrants face in accessing their basic needs. The fight is far from over, and with states such as California, Illinois, and others prioritizing food security for their residents, our resolve continues. Please join MAZON in urging Congress to treat our immigrant communities with the dignity they deserve, protect their access to food assistance, and reverse President Trump’s hateful actions against our neighbors.