The Department of Agriculture has requested states to provide extensive personal information on food assistance recipients, including Social Security numbers and citizenship status, as part of a broader effort to collect sensitive data. This troubling request follows a federal audit asking for similar data and is part of the Trump administration's larger agenda, which has included efforts to publicly mischaracterize individuals utilizing benefits as fraudulent. Critics warn that such data could enable mass deportation efforts and violate privacy protections, raising serious ethical concerns concerning the surveillance of vulnerable populations.
The latest data demands are "absolutely alarming," said Jon Davisson from the Electronic Privacy Information Center, warning they could enable deportation and mass surveillance efforts.
USDA's unprecedented request for personal data on SNAP participants follows a federal audit demand and raises serious privacy concerns.
The sweeping data collection by the Trump administration is utilized to support misleading claims about illegal access to public benefits and fraud.
SNAP serves 42 million people monthly and has raised over $100 billion in costs, but only certain noncitizens qualify for benefits.
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