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Trump administration demands crackdown on illegal immigrants potentially taking advantage of key benefit
The United States Department of Agriculture is demanding that states ensure illegal immigrants are not using food stamps.
The department wants states to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order from February that seeks improved methods to check that those in the country illegally do not receive federal benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The measure is meant to crack down on fraud and serve as a safeguard because illegal immigrants are already not allowed to use SNAP benefits. Only citizens and some legal noncitizens can do so.
«We’ve already made arrests in Minnesota and New York and Colorado, and we’re just getting started,» Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told Fox News Digital in an interview.
AMERICAN FARMERS HAVE A VOICE IN WASHINGTON AGAIN
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sits for an interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier April 8, 2025. (Fox News/Special Report)
«We’re going to be extremely, extremely aggressive. Now, hopefully it acts as a deterrent also.»
The USDA is asking states to cross-check Social Security numbers with a death master file and to use the free Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system provided by the Department of Homeland Security for noncitizens applying for the benefits, among other steps to verify immigration status.
Rollins said it’s «the president’s vision to ensure that we’re being the most efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars.»
SNAP RECIPIENTS MAY BE BARRED FROM JUNK FOOD PURCHASES UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP BILL
«So, we think we’ll be able to cut down on billions of fraud and save the taxpayers a lot of money,» she said.
John Walk, acting deputy under secretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, wrote in a letter Thursday to state SNAP agencies, explaining the existing law.
«By law, only United States citizens and certain lawfully present aliens may receive SNAP benefits. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) established that ‘aliens within the Nation’s borders not depend on public resources to meet their needs.’ SNAP is not and has never been available to illegal aliens,» Walk wrote.
A bodega with an Electronic Benefit Transfer sign in the window in Queens, N.Y. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The crackdown comes as there is heightened scrutiny on the eligibility of illegal immigrants for benefits, such as California’s Medicaid program that allows people to enroll without their immigration status being considered, even though it’s funded by state and federal taxpayer dollars.
California Republicans have said illegal immigrants’ eligibility in the program is responsible for its insolvency, whereas Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said it’s only a factor in a larger healthcare cost issue nationwide.
MILLIONS MORE FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS REQUIRED TO WORK UNDER NEW HOUSE GOP PROPOSAL
«The federal government is now paying attention a lot more closely than ever before on how the states are spending the money,» Rollins said. «I am from Texas. I actually have a lot of confidence in the Texas system. I think the red states, honestly, are probably a little more intentional and careful about this. Of course, it’s the blue states that tend to want to put everyone on the taxpayers’ back. And I think that we’ll find a lot more of that moving forward, but hopefully it’s a deterrence for everyone.»
Outside of immigration, SNAP has also faced calls for reform in several states to no longer allow the purchase of «junk food.» Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently asked the USDA to allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits, while adding rotisserie chicken to the list of available options.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee July 16, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)
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«President Trump and his administration have put a laser focus on solving America’s chronic disease epidemic, and reforming our food stamp program is a great place to start,» Sanders said in a news release April 15.
«Banning soda and candy from food stamps will remove some of the least healthy, most processed foods from the program and encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better.»
Immigration,Food,Donald Trump
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Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, both progressive «Squad» members, lashed out at President Donald Trump on Saturday in response to his decision to strike Iran.
«Trump has launched an illegal regime change war,» Omar posted on X. «As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos.»
Omar, who fled Somalia as a refugee as a young child, added, «When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.»
Tlaib reacted on social media to a clip of Trump acknowledging that there may be American casualties in this attack.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib at her side, speaks at a press conference. (Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
«He doesn’t care about our loved ones in the military,» Tlaib posted on X in a message that was reposted by Omar. «He doesn’t care about the fact that Americans don’t want this war.»
«He doesn’t care about the Iranian people. He is corrupted. Don’t fall for the lies.»
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also slammed President Donald Trump for abandoning diplomacy in favor of launching an attack against Iran, predicting the outcome will be «catastrophic.»
«The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want by a president who does not care about the long-term consequences of his actions. This war is unlawful. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic,» Ocasio-Cortez said.
«Just this week, Iran and the United States were negotiating key measures that could have staved off war. The President walked away from these discussions and chose war instead. President Trump flippantly acknowledged the possibility of American casualties, stating ‘that often happens in war,’» she continued. «Mr. President: this was not an inevitability. This is a deliberate choice of aggression when diplomacy and security were within reach. Stop lying to the American people.
Democratic Rep. Greg Casar, another progressive House member associated with the informal «Squad» group, called Trump’s actions an «illegal war» in a post on X.
«Yet again, an American president is sending other people’s kids to risk their lives in a senseless regime change war,» Casar said.
The U.S. and Israel launched the joint attack just after 9 a.m. local time in what the Pentagon has dubbed «Operation Epic Fury.»
IF KHAMENEI FALLS, WHO TAKES IRAN? STRIKES WILL EXPOSE POWER VACUUM — AND THE IRGC’S GRIP
In video remarks posted to Truth Social, Trump addressed the Iranian people directly and told them to «seize control of [their] destiny.»
«The hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,» Trump said. «This will be, probably, your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want.»
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
While Trump focused some of his message on empowering the people of Iran, he stated that the intent of the operation is to «defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,» which he described as «vicious» and «very hard, terrible people.»
Trump also said that while there may be American casualties as a result, the mission is «noble» as it is aimed at stopping a «wicked, radical dictatorship» from threatening American national security interests and destabilizing the Middle East.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report
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politics,iran,ilhan omar,rashida tlaib
INTERNACIONAL
Gulf states condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territories following US-Israeli operation
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Arab nations are sounding off against Iran after the regime launched strikes against U.S. interests in neighboring countries in the region in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli joint strikes against Iran’s leaders.
The Iranian response targeted all U.S. bases in the Gulf, except for U.S. bases in Oman, Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported, since the Omani foreign minister had tried to mediate the nuclear talks in Geneva, even flying to Washington, D.C., to meet Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Friday to try to avert what is quickly turning into a regional war.
Griffin reported that approximately 40 missiles had landed in Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. military in Iraq intercepted at least one missile targeting U.S. facilities. Additionally, Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported.
Iran also launched missiles at Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where the U.S. has squadrons of advanced fighter jets, Griffin reported.
This map shows the targets of Iran’s retaliatory strikes. (Fox News)
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were among the Gulf states that condemned the Iranian strikes, with many saying they reserve the right to defend themselves and respond accordingly to attacks on their sovereign territories.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it reserves its «full right» to defend itself after what it described as Iranian aggression targeting Qatari territory. Its Defense Ministry said it «successfully thwarted a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory» after multiple rounds of alerts sounded. Authorities reported no immediate injuries or damage in residential areas.
The locations of U.S. military bases throughout the Gulf are seen in relation to Iran. (Fox News)
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it affirmed «its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries» and warned of «grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.»
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The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense said the country «was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,» adding that air defense systems «successfully intercepted a number of missiles.» Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused «one civilian death of an Asian nationality» and material damage.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported that Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported. (Fox News)
The ministry called the attack «a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability,» and stated the UAE «reserves its full right to respond.»
Jordan’s foreign minister wrote a series of posts on X, saying that King Abdullah II «condemns the attack on the territories of Jordan, and any attacks on Arab countries,» expressing Jordan’s «solidarity with the brotherly Arab countries in confronting any aggressions that affect their sovereignty, security, and stability.»
Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it also «strongly condemns the Iranian attacks,» adding that it «affirms its full solidarity with these fellow Arab States and firmly rejects any violation of their sovereignty, any threat to their security, or any action undermining their stability.»
Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Meanwhile, the Omani Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
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«The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Sultanate of Oman’s profound regret over the military operations launched by Israel and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning of the danger of the conflict expanding into consequences that cannot be rectified in the region,» the Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to X’s translation.
«The Sultanate of Oman considers this action to be in contravention of the rules of international law and the principle of resolving issues through peaceful means rather than hostile means, the shedding of blood, and calls on all parties to immediately suspend military operations, while urging the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to impose a ceasefire and for the international community to take a clear stance in support of international law,» it added.
Fox News Digital’s Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
iran,middle east,saudi arabia,lebanon,middle east foreign policy,world
INTERNACIONAL
Más de 25 estados bajo alerta por tres tormentas invernales con riesgo de hielo y cortes eléctricos
Durante el último fin de semana de febrero y los primeros días de marzo de 2026, una cadena de tres tormentas invernales comenzó a afectar a más de veinticinco estados del centro y noreste de Estados Unidos, generando nevadas, hielo y descensos abruptos de temperatura que impactan la vida cotidiana de millones de personas. El fenómeno, resultado de la interacción entre masas de aire frío provenientes de Canadá y flujos cálidos del Golfo de México, mantiene activas alertas y advertencias oficiales en una amplia franja del país.
Según reportes del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (NWS) y la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA), los sistemas meteorológicos avanzan de oeste a este y presentan variabilidad en la cantidad de nieve y hielo esperada para cada región. Las proyecciones de las agencias especializadas, citadas por medios como The Weather Channel, indican que las tormentas actuales no superarían la magnitud de la tormenta de nieve que recientemente bloqueó el noreste, aunque podrían generar interrupciones en el transporte y el suministro de energía.
El antecedente inmediato es el temporal registrado a mediados de febrero, que dejó acumulaciones superiores a 60 centímetros en varias ciudades clave del noreste, según The Weather Channel. Esa tormenta obligó a declarar emergencias estatales y movilizar recursos de respuesta en estados como Nueva York, Nueva Jersey y Massachusetts, estableciendo un precedente para la alerta y la preparación ante los nuevos episodios invernales.
La primera ronda de tormentas comenzó el sábado 28 de febrero, con nevadas que iniciaron en Montana y las Dakotas, avanzando hacia el Medio Oeste y los Grandes Lagos durante la noche, de acuerdo con la NOAA. Las acumulaciones previstas para este primer evento se sitúan por debajo de los 8 centímetros (3 pulgadas) en la mayoría de los lugares, aunque ciertas áreas montañosas y zonas de esquí podrían recibir cantidades superiores. Ciudades como Pittsburgh, Albany y Manchester figuran entre las principales afectadas, según el NWS.
Para la madrugada del domingo, se esperaba nieve ligera en áreas metropolitanas como Nueva York, Boston y Providence, con acumulaciones cercanas a 2,5 centímetros (1 pulgada). Modelos consultados por el NWS advierten que algunas localidades de Nueva Inglaterra, especialmente en zonas de montaña, podrían registrar acumulados por encima de los 7,5 centímetros (3 pulgadas).
La tormenta de mediados de febrero, según The Weather Channel, dejó registros históricos de acumulación, con más de 60 centímetros (24 pulgadas) de nieve en ciudades como Filadelfia y Nueva York, acompañados de vientos sostenidos superiores a 64 kilómetros por hora (40 mph). Las autoridades meteorológicas recalcan que los sistemas actuales presentan una dinámica diferente, con acumulaciones menores y una distribución más dispersa de la precipitación.
El NWS sostiene que la magnitud de las tormentas de este fin de semana no alcanzará la severidad del episodio anterior, aunque mantiene el monitoreo sobre posibles impactos localizados, especialmente en áreas vulnerables a cortes de energía y bloqueos viales.
El segundo sistema, previsto para la noche del domingo 1 de marzo, surge de la interacción entre un frente frío y aire cálido y húmedo proveniente del Golfo de México. Según la NOAA, este fenómeno favorecerá la aparición de lluvias, nieve y episodios de lluvia congelante en el Medio Oeste y la región de los Grandes Lagos. Ciudades como St. Louis, Kansas City, Louisville e Indianápolis se encuentran bajo vigilancia especial por acumulaciones mixtas.
Las previsiones oficiales sitúan las acumulaciones de nieve entre 2,5 y 7,6 centímetros (1 a 3 pulgadas), mientras que las capas de hielo rara vez superarán los 2,5 milímetros (0,10 pulgadas). El NWS informó que “la amenaza de interrupciones graves en el transporte o en la red eléctrica será menor que en el evento anterior”. Sin embargo, la institución aconseja precaución en zonas donde la precipitación congelante coincida con temperaturas cercanas a cero.
El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional mantiene avisos de tormenta invernal y advertencias por bajas temperaturas desde Montana hasta Massachusetts. Las autoridades estatales de Nueva York, Pensilvania y Massachusetts han recomendado evitar desplazamientos no esenciales y mantener reservas de artículos básicos ante posibles interrupciones de servicios. La Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) recordó la importancia de preparar suministros y contar con alternativas de calefacción.
Las áreas rurales y regiones boscosas del noreste y el medio oeste son las más propensas a experimentar cortes de energía, ya que la acumulación de hielo puede dañar líneas eléctricas y árboles. El NWS señaló que “los descensos bruscos de temperatura aumentan el riesgo de averías en infraestructuras y accidentes viales por superficies resbaladizas”.
El tercer episodio invernal, que se espera alcance su mayor intensidad el martes 3 de marzo, se caracteriza por un flujo de aire húmedo desde el sur que choca con masas de aire frío persistente en el noreste. De acuerdo con la NOAA, este sistema dejará lluvias sobre la costa atlántica y precipitaciones de nieve o hielo en el interior, principalmente al norte de la Interestatal 90 y en los valles de Pensilvania y Nueva York.
Las proyecciones indican que las zonas de mayor elevación en Nueva Inglaterra y el norte del estado de Nueva York podrían acumular hasta 15 centímetros (6 pulgadas) de nieve hasta el miércoles 4 de marzo. Regiones como Virginia y Carolina del Norte podrían registrar entre 2,5 y 6,4 milímetros (0,10-0,25 pulgadas) de lluvia congelante, según la NOAA.
El NWS y la NOAA recomiendan que los residentes de las zonas bajo alerta consulten los avisos actualizados y sigan las indicaciones de las autoridades locales. La FEMA sugiere mantener a mano suministros de emergencia, equipos de calefacción alternativos y dispositivos de comunicación cargados. Los organismos meteorológicos insisten en la necesidad de mantenerse informados sobre los cambios en los pronósticos, ya que la situación puede variar rápidamente.
“Es fundamental que la población esté preparada para cambios bruscos en las condiciones meteorológicas y actúe con precaución ante las advertencias vigentes”, advirtió el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional en su último boletín.
De acuerdo con el análisis de la NOAA y el NWS, el patrón climático que favorece la generación de tormentas invernales persistirá durante la primera semana de marzo. Los expertos destacan que “la inestabilidad atmosférica y la sucesión de frentes fríos y cálidos mantienen elevado el riesgo de nuevos episodios de nieve y hielo, especialmente en el noreste y el medio oeste del país”.
El monitoreo constante de los modelos meteorológicos permite ajustar las previsiones y emitir alertas con antelación, aunque la variabilidad inherente a estos sistemas puede introducir cambios en la trayectoria y la intensidad de las tormentas.
La combinación de nieve, hielo y descensos térmicos afecta la movilidad urbana y rural, así como la operación de escuelas, hospitales y servicios esenciales. Según la NOAA, las interrupciones en rutas principales y secundarias pueden dificultar el acceso a centros de trabajo y servicios médicos, mientras que la formación de hielo en carreteras aumenta el riesgo de accidentes.
Las aerolíneas y empresas de transporte han emitido comunicados anticipando posibles demoras y cancelaciones, especialmente en los aeropuertos de Chicago, Nueva York y Boston. El NWS reiteró que “la colaboración entre autoridades federales, estatales y locales es clave para minimizar los impactos y garantizar una respuesta eficaz ante emergencias”.
Las agencias meteorológicas prevén que el patrón de tormentas invernales podría extenderse durante las próximas semanas. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional indica que se mantiene la vigilancia sobre posibles nuevos sistemas, mientras la población de las regiones afectadas continúa adaptándose a condiciones cambiantes.
Weather,North America,Weather Markets / Weather
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