California and Illinois have begun implementing new federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) restrictions that remove benefit eligibility for many humanitarian immigrants.

Why It Matters

Previously, several categories of lawfully present immigrants, including refugees, asylees, and certain humanitarian entrants such as trafficking survivors, could qualify for benefits if they met income and other requirements.

Under the new rules, many of those groups are no longer eligible. SNAP access is now largely limited to U.S. citizens and a smaller subset of noncitizens, primarily lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who meet additional criteria, along with a few specifically protected categories such as some Cuban and Haitian entrants. Undocumented residents have never been eligible for SNAP.

What To Know

Now, many immigrants who are legally present in the United States but do not fall into those narrower categories are no longer eligible for assistance, even if they had previously qualified. According to Bay Area news outlet KALW California, it is estimated around 72,000 lawfully present immigrants will lose their benefits which local advocates say will drive more families to food banks already strained by demand.

The restrictions stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July 2025, which narrowed SNAP eligibility for many lawfully present noncitizens and is now being implemented in California as of April 1, 2026.

California officials say those already enrolled and newly ineligible under the law will keep CalFresh until their next recertification—typically after 12 months—while new applicants in the affected categories will be denied starting April 1.

Illinois also set April 1 as its implementation date for the federal changes, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services.

According to Nebraska Public Media, several other states began rolling out the federal restrictions at different times in recent months. Minnesota began implementing the rules on March 1.

What People Are Saying

Ezer Pamintuan, senior policy advocate at the Alameda County Community Food Bank, told KALW: “So what we’re going to see immediately is longer lines at pantries, at food banks, at shelters, people with nowhere else to go are going to have to come to us for help, and this is at a time when food banks are already stretched thin with resources.”

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025: “The One Big Beautiful Bill marks the start of a new golden age for America and American agriculture. This historic piece of legislation makes permanent the largest tax cuts in history.

“While expanding programs to support the farmers who feed, fuel, and clothe America, this legislation also tackles the fraud and waste that has run rampant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill holds states accountable for their error rates, strengthens work requirements, and prevents illegal aliens from receiving SNAP.”

What Happens Next

States, if they have not already begun implementing new rules regarding immigrant status, will do so in accordance with federal law.