Michigan and other states win legal battles against Trump administration benefit rules

Michigan and 21 other states have secured legal victories against the Trump administration regarding restrictions on government benefits for non-citizens.

In one federal court ruling, Judge Mustafa Kasubhai struck down U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The states argued that the USDA’s implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act inaccurately increased restrictions on certain groups and improperly applied a 120-day adjustment period retroactively. The court ruled that the adjustment period cannot begin before the issuance of an implementing memorandum.

Separately, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “public charge” rule. The rule, which took effect on September 18, expands the discretion of immigration officers to consider whether applicants have received or are likely to receive means-tested benefits—such as Medicaid and food assistance—when determining eligibility for green cards. The administration maintains that the rule ensures immigrants are self-sufficient, while challengers argue it unfairly penalizes recipients of non-cash aid.