Mary Elizabeth Miller of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Mahomet) said Miller addressed Illinois media coverage of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility changes affecting certain non-citizens in her state and relating to broader program integrity measures under recent legislation, according to an April 14 statement.
The topic has drawn attention as updated federal rules have led to concerns about access for immigrants and non-citizens. Rep. Miller issued the statement in a post on X responding to Illinois press reports about the effects of updated federal SNAP eligibility rules on non-citizens. The coverage centered on impacts from changes that took effect April 1 under provisions adjusting qualification standards for the food assistance program. Illinois officials have implemented the new citizenship and immigration status requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for state administration of benefits, according to X.
“The Illinois press is attempting to portray this as a crisis. In reality, the true crisis began when Joe Biden recklessly expanded SNAP eligibility for illegal aliens not lawfully eligible, straining a program meant for American families in need. I fought to secure reforms in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to restore integrity and ensure SNAP benefits are preserved for those it was designed to help. Taxpayer-funded benefits must ALWAYS put the American people FIRST,” according to Mary Miller’s post on X.
Illinois reported that roughly 16,000 immigrants including refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of human trafficking could lose SNAP access during upcoming eligibility reviews due to the tightened federal standards. The Illinois Department of Human Services applies the updated rules at semiannual redeterminations for households. State data reflect ongoing efforts to align program participation with lawful eligibility criteria established by Congress, as reported by Chicago Tribune.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has tracked improper payment rates in SNAP with Illinois recording an error rate of 11.56 percent in fiscal year 2024 according to federal oversight reviews. Nationally non-citizens accounted for approximately $5.7 billion in SNAP benefits during fiscal year 2023 per program analyses. These figures underscore administrative challenges in maintaining program integrity across states while serving eligible American families, according to USDA.
Rep. Miller is a fourth-generation Illinois farmer representing the 15th Congressional District and serves on the House Agriculture Committee where she focuses on rural economic issues and family-supporting policies. She has advocated for agriculture and taxpayer accountability measures throughout her service in Congress, according to her official website.
