A coalition of 21 states, led by Attorney General Nick Brown, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over its demand for personal information from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

The lawsuit claims that the USDA's request for sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and home addresses, violates both state and federal privacy laws.

Michigan, which has over one million SNAP recipients, relies on the program to deliver more than $250 million monthly in food assistance, highlighting the stakes involved in this legal battle.

On July 28, 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the lawsuit, emphasizing the federal government's mishandling of funds that belong to the state.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the USDA's demand as 'unprecedented,' arguing it breaks the trust between the federal government and the individuals it serves.

Bonta further asserted that the data collection represents a violation of privacy and could erode trust, warning that SNAP participants provided their information for assistance, not for surveillance.

The USDA has threatened to withhold administrative funding from states that do not comply with the data request, forcing them to choose between protecting privacy and providing essential nutrition assistance.

Critics, including immigration advocates, fear that the USDA's data collection efforts may be misused for immigration enforcement, similar to past actions involving Medicaid data.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins defended the USDA's actions, claiming they are necessary for monitoring the lawful use of federal funds and combating fraud.

The coalition of states is seeking to prevent the USDA from conditioning SNAP funding on compliance with these controversial data requests, aiming to protect the privacy of millions.

This lawsuit marks the 35th legal challenge against the Trump administration in 27 weeks, reflecting widespread opposition to its data collection initiatives.

Brown criticized the USDA's actions as illegal and harmful to community privacy, attributing the overreach to the Trump administration's policies.