Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel secured a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to access personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients for surveillance purposes. The court order halts the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to compel states to share sensitive information or risk losing federal food assistance funding, according to the Department of Attorney General.
“The Trump Administration tried to corner Michiganders into an impossible choice: surrender your privacy or go hungry,” said Nessel. The lawsuit argues that the administration’s demands violate federal laws and constitutional protections designed to safeguard the privacy of low-income families relying on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
Michigan, which distributes about $254 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to around 1,418,000 residents each month, faced the risk of losing federal funding after the U.S. Department of Agriculture threatened to withhold funds over compliance issues. The court issued an injunction to stop the action, prompting Attorney General Dana Nessel to say, “I am grateful the Court halted this illegal action and remain committed to protecting the rights of Michigan families,” as stated by the Department of Attorney General.
