Judge permanently blocks federal government’s illegal SNAP fines

Judge permanently blocks federal government’s illegal SNAP fines FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 21 2026 atgSamBlobaum Mon, 09/21/2026 - 14:17 Multi-state lawsuit also secures ruling that lawful permanent residents remain eligible for food assistance The federal government is permanently blocked from illegally penalizing Washington and other states with steep fines tied to their administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), following a ruling in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The ruling makes a preliminary injunction the court issued in December 2025 permanent and goes further. The judge sided with Washington and a coalition of attorneys general on every claim, striking down both the administration's attempt to levy fines and its guidance restricting food assistance for lawful permanent residents. “This case protects critical food benefits for people who are lawfully in this country and stops the government’s illegal attempts to penalize states that support them,” Brown said. “The rule of law has once again held the administration’s overreach in check.” In November 2025 , Brown and the coalition sued the Trump administration after it moved