Across the U.S., refugees and other newcomers seeking safety from violence and persecution are losing access to basic food assistance as Congress’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) takes effect. Nationwide, more than 22 million families are at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as states face requirements to implement various changes that undermine the program.
Because of new restrictions in OBBBA, many refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian entrants who do not yet have green cards have become categorically ineligible for SNAP. Some have already lost access to their benefits, and many more will soon be cut off. To make matters worse, the implementation of the eligibility changes coincides with a policy that is stalling green card application processing for many refugees who are otherwise eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence.
Hundreds of thousands of newcomers who previously counted on SNAP to feed themselves and their families are now unable to receive federal food assistance. State governments are uniquely positioned to invest in innovative programs and partnerships to prevent communities from going hungry in the wake of SNAP cuts. With many legislatures in session across the country, multiple states are taking proactive steps – including via budget negotiations – to fill in the gaps left by federal cuts to food assistance for many of their most at-risk residents.
States and state legislatures have the power to find creative solutions so that populations who are losing access to SNAP don’t go hungry.
Access to food is a basic human right.
Take action to urge your state elected officials to make sure that refugees and other community members seeking safe harbor in the U.S. can still afford the food that they need to survive and thrive.
Sample email script: “My name is [insert your name] and as a constituent of [Legislator/Governor] from [City/Town] and [a faith leader/refugee leader/community member], I am writing to express concern about the cuts to federal food assistance for refugees and other newcomers in my community and to encourage you to take steps to address the impact of SNAP cuts on refugees and others seeking safety in [STATE].
I urge you to recognize the immense harm that SNAP restrictions will have on our community and support appropriations and legislation that will fill the gaps.
State governments are uniquely positioned to invest in programs and partnerships that prevent communities from going hungry as SNAP cuts take effect. Multiple states are taking proactive steps – including via budget negotiations and state-funded parallel food assistance programs – to meet the needs left by federal cuts for many of their most at-risk residents.
For example:
- Lawmakers in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and elsewhere are considering proposals to establish a parallel nutrition assistance program that would support newcomer populations who were eligible for SNAP before Congress passed H.R. 1.
- In October, the New Mexico Legislature approved a $12 million appropriation to provide temporary, state-funded food assistance for the roughly 20,000 newcomers in the state who were eligible for SNAP before H.R. 1. Oregon also allocated funds to support food security for newcomers who are now categorically ineligible for SNAP in the state’s budget and other states are considering similar measures.
In [STATE], we have a moral responsibility to proactively mitigate harm as families and communities who were previously eligible for SNAP lose access to life-sustaining support.
My community is proud to welcome refugees and others fleeing violence and persecution. I urge you to take steps to ensure that they can continue to meet their basic need for food.
Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR MAILING ADDRESS]
Additional Resources:
- National Immigration Law Center: Public Benefits for Immigrants: A Guide for Practitioners
- National Immigration Law Center: State-Funded Food Assistance Programs