Gov’t sued for stripping food assistance to Caribbean immigrants

NEW YORK Attorney General Letitia James and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine have taken the lead in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans, including Caribbean nationals.

The lawsuit, which was joined by 13 attorneys general and the City of New York, challenges a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, beyond a threemonth period for certain adults.

The coalition asserts in the lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, that the rule directly undermines the US

Congress’ intent for SNAP, and that the USDA violated the US federal rule making process.

Further, the petitioners argue that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on the states and harm states’ economies and residents.

The coalition is urging the court to declare the rule unlawful and issue an injunction to prevent it from taking effect on April 1, 2020.

‘CRUEL TO ITS CORE’

“The federal government’s latest assault on vulnerable individuals is cruel to its core,” James said. “Denying access to vital SNAP benefits would only push hundreds of thousands of already vulnerable Americans into greater economic uncertainty.

“In so doing, states will have to grapple with rising healthcare and homelessness costs that will result from this shortsighted and ill-conceived policy,” she added.

James said this rule will deny access to food assistance for more than 50,000 people in New York City, including Caribbean immigrants, and put tens of thousands more throughout New York State at risk of going hungry.

The New York Attorney General said SNAP has served as the country’s primary response to hunger since 1977 and has been a critical part of federal and state efforts to help lift people out of poverty.

She said the programme provides access to food for millions of Americans with limited income, who would otherwise struggle with food insecurity.

The changes introduced a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed individuals aged 18 to 49 who are not disabled or raising children – “able-bodied adults without dependents”, James said.