Maine’s Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on Wednesday for a bill from Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren) that would apparently ensure that some illegal immigrants can continue receiving state-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits despite federal changes.
[RELATED: Nearly 700,000 Ineligible People Have Been Removed from SNAP Rolls Since Trump Took Office: Rollins…]
“For nearly thirty years, Maine has provided state-funded SNAP to lawfully present
immigrants who may have been excluded from federal benefits. This program
reflects our values and pragmatic recognition that hunger harms all Mainers,” said Pluecker while addressing the committee.
“It is important that the Maine legislature reaffirm our commitment to ending
hunger. SNAP helps families put down roots, find employment, and contribute to
Maine’s communities. Everyone deserves to eat,” he added.
The bill, LD 2051, aims to shore up Maine’s state-level SNAP benefits to ensure that non-citizens continue to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits, despite changes made to the federal program under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which reduced the number of non-citizens eligible. For example, the Big Beautiful Bill barred refugees and asylum seekers from receiving benefits.
Pluecker assured the committee that the intent of his bill is to cement the eligibility of groups like refugees and asylum seekers, who were eligible under state law before President Trump’s changes, not to expand eligibility.
The bill, as written, expands the definition of SNAP-eligible noncitizens legally admitted to the United States to include every person who is “pursuing any lawful immigration process.”
That could include people who entered the country illegally and submitted a subsequent “defensive” asylum claim, only making the claim after being confronted by immigration authorities.
It also extends to anyone who has permanent residence “under color of law,” seemingly extending it to anyone who merely appears to be a resident, whether they are or not.
The text explicitly ensures that anyone rendered ineligible following the Big Beautiful Bill will remain ineligible for Maine’s program.
Pluecker’s bill failed to draw any co-sponsors, but it was not without supporters.
Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) testified in support of the bill.
“LD 2051 does not introduce new or complicated programs; it simply clarifies an existing statute to ensure we treat all populations equally. Immigrants are already facing difficult times right now, and as a Legislature, it is our duty to try to make their lives easier. One way we can accomplish this is by helping them have consistent access to food,” said Sen. Talbot Ross during her testimony.
Portland Mayor Mark Dion also expressed his support.
“By the State’s own measure, approximately 2,000 Mainers were at risk of losing eligibility despite being lawfully present as a result of federal actions,” said Dion.
“We urge your support for this critical food security measure, which recognizes the
limitations of our current system while ensuring basic food security for our community,” he added.
The Maine Policy Institute submitted testimony against the bill, arguing that, despite Pluecker’s claims that the bill is not aimed at expanding food assistance, it, in practice, will allow more people into the program and will hurt the state financially.
“LD 2051 is not a narrow access measure. It is a state-level expansion of welfare
eligibility that overrides federal standards, relies on vague legal definitions, and exposes
the General Fund to potentially significant long-term costs,” they said.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) submitted similar objections to the bill.
“The Department’s opposition is due to the cost of the proposal at a time when federal policy changes are imposing significant financial burden on Maine,” said the DHHS.
“LD 2051 bill would further define eligibility for the State-Funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in a way that is anticipated to expand eligibility,” they added.
