California is leading a bold legal challenge against the Trump administration’s attempt to collect sensitive personal data from food stamp recipients. Alongside 18 other Democrat-led states and Washington, D.C., the state is pushing back against a demand that could potentially expose millions of vulnerable residents to unprecedented privacy risks.

The lawsuit centers on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s request for comprehensive personal information about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that this data collection goes far beyond any previous standard, seeking five years of highly personal details from program recipients.

At the heart of the legal action is a fundamental concern about immigrant communities being targeted. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted the “chilling effect” such policies could have, potentially discouraging people from accessing crucial food assistance programs out of fear of data exposure.

The stakes are significant for California, which distributes approximately $12 billion annually in food vouchers to 5 million residents through the CalFresh program. About 13% of the state’s population relies on these essential benefits, making the potential data breach particularly alarming.

This isn’t the first time California has pushed back against federal immigration-related policies. In 2022, the state became a pioneer by offering food benefits to immigrants without legal status, demonstrating a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration’s policy is “arbitrary and capricious” and violates state rights and privacy laws. It represents the 35th lawsuit California has filed against the Trump administration in just 27 weeks, underscoring the state’s persistent legal resistance to policies it considers harmful.

California’s actions highlight a broader struggle to protect individual privacy and ensure access to essential social services, particularly for marginalized communities. As the legal battle unfolds, it represents a critical moment in the ongoing fight for immigrant rights and personal data protection.