New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday that she is co-leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration for barring illegal immigrants from obtaining food stamps under the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The lawsuit comes after the Department of Agriculture demanded that all states turn over sensitive personal information belonging to SNAP recipients or applicants by July 30, two days after the complaint’s filing date. James, a Democrat, said the Trump administration’s request is “flat-out illegal,” noting that state laws prohibit the disclosure of SNAP data unless absolutely necessary.

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“This latest action from this administration is nothing more than an attempt to sow fear and to cause chaos among the most vulnerable populations,” James said on a press call.

“We are suing to uphold the rule of law, to protect the sensitive personal information of everyone who receives SNAP benefits and ensure that this administration does not use critical and necessary food assistance to target immigrant communities,” she added.

James, Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel are leading a coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., in the lawsuit, setting up a high-stakes showdown with the federal government.

The USDA published a list of demands on July 23, requiring state agencies to provide a list of people who have applied or are receiving SNAP benefits, in addition to other information, including immigration statuses.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on illegal immigrants who have been relying on federal welfare benefits, such as food stamps and homelessness assistance.

SNAP is also facing reduced federal spending after President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law earlier this month. The program is projected to see a cut of nearly $187 billion over the next decade.

SNAP served more than 42.7 million people on average per month in fiscal 2024, according to the USDA. The figure represents nearly 12.3% of the total population in the United States.

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Monday’s action is the latest lawsuit spearheaded by Democratic attorneys general critical of the president’s policy goals and executive orders, which they often describe as unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, James is facing investigations from the Trump administration over allegations of mortgage fraud. The New York attorney general, who once took Trump to court over alleged business fraud, is accused of listing two properties as her primary residence. One of her homes is in Norfolk, Virginia, even though she primarily works in New York City.