BREAKING: Dept of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced she will enforce policies to block illegal aliens from receiving food stamp benefits

“Illegal aliens in the United States should not depend on taxpayer dollars to take care of their needs.” pic.twitter.com/2xnjeViP3H

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Hannah Nightingale

US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday announced that she has directed officials to carry out Trump's executive order barring illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer benefits, including food benefit programs.

In a letter addressed to "state, Tribal, Territorial, and Local Government Partners," Rollins wrote that she was "committed" to fulfilling Trump’s executive order titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders."

"The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the US Department of Agriculture plays an important role in providing nutrition services to vulnerable populations in the interest of our Nation. Program eligibility rules are determined by Congress. In 1996, Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act" which "generally prohibits illegal aliens from receiving Federal benefits, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits," Rollins wrote.

"With its enactment, illegal aliens in the United States should not depend on taxpayer dollars to take care of their needs. President Trump’s Executive Order reaffirms this important national policy—and puts the needs of Americans first," she continued. "It is essential we use all available legal authority to end any incentives in FNS benefit programs that encourage illegal immigration. The President has made clear the status quo is not acceptable."

Rollins wrote that she has directed senior staff at FNS to "review the public benefit programs it administers at the Federal level to ensure alignment with the President’s Executive Order," and that after the review, "FNS will implement necessary changes so all its programs are consistent with Federal law, including PRWORA."

"FNS will also work to revise public messaging so that information about program eligibility is accurate and does not encourage illegal aliens to use public benefit programs. Furthermore, FNS will take measures to improve eligibility verification and deter fraud."