DHS Launches Operation to Deport SNAP Benefit Fraudsters

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a large-scale operation through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and deport illegal aliens who fraudulently accessed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In the initial phase of the campaign, ICE arrested five individuals from Cuba and Haiti, some of whom possessed prior criminal records.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche reported that the first campaign uncovered nearly $42 million in SNAP fraud. This result followed a partnership with the Department of Agriculture to disrupt criminal networks that targeted federal benefits. Blanche stated that the Department of Justice will continue working to root out fraud across every federal agency and program.

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin characterized the fraudsters as thieves and asserted that these welfare programs are intended exclusively for American citizens. Mullin stated that the administration is committed to bringing these individuals to justice, noting that even non-violent fraud can have devastating consequences for taxpayers.