Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Forcing States to Share SNAP Recipient Data

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A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a tentative ruling blocking the Trump administration from forcing states to hand over detailed information on people who have applied for or received aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The judge said the administration cannot act on its previous demands for the data, which the states have rejected.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant victory for states, many of which have Democratic governors, in their fight against the administration's efforts to obtain personal data on SNAP recipients, which they argue could be used for immigration enforcement purposes. The battle over SNAP records is part of a broader clash between the federal government and Democratic-led states.

The details

Last year, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from requiring states to provide data on SNAP applicants and recipients, including their immigration status. The department continued to push for the information, threatening to withhold state administrative funding if they didn't comply. On Friday, Chesney said she intends to issue an order prohibiting the federal government from acting on its previous demands for the data.

• In December 2025, the USDA told states it would stop paying state administrative costs for SNAP if they didn't provide the requested data.
• On February 15, 2026, Judge Chesney said she will rule that the federal government cannot force states to hand over the SNAP recipient data.

What’s next

Judge Chesney is expected to issue a formal order in the coming days or weeks that will prohibit the federal government from forcing states to provide the SNAP recipient data.