Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a legal challenge concerning access to food assistance. Working with 21 other attorneys general, Rayfield submitted a lawsuit seeking to block recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that could affect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for certain lawful permanent residents. The USDA memo states that some legally present immigrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, are ineligible for SNAP benefits, a position not explicitly outlined in federal law.
Rayfield noted the timing of the legal action, filed just before Thanksgiving, and raised concerns about ongoing food access issues. The USDA guidance issued on October 31 gives a narrower interpretation of SNAP eligibility and did not provide clarification after a formal request from Rayfield and the coalition. The attorneys general argue that the guidance changes existing rules on who can receive SNAP benefits and could limit assistance for families who are legally living in the United States after seeking refuge or resettlement.
According to the Oregon Department of Justice, the attorneys general are asking the court to cancel the USDA’s guidance and stop its quick rollout. They say the guidance conflicts with the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” applies USDA rules incorrectly, and gives states only one day to comply before facing major financial penalties. They argue that the change creates confusion for families who use SNAP and adds extra pressure on state systems, which they say could reduce public trust in the process.
The coalition states that under federal law, refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees who become lawful permanent residents are eligible for SNAP under standard program rules. They argue that the USDA’s sudden guidance conflicts with these laws and forces states to either risk violating federal requirements or face significant penalties. The lawsuit, led by Rayfield and New York Attorney General Letitia James, has support from attorneys general in several states, including California, Colorado, and Illinois.
