SNAP Fraud Surge: What It Means for Immigrant Families
A mother's EBT card was drained by fraudsters — she found out only when her groceries were declined at the register, and had to borrow money to feed her children. In October 2026, the Justice Department and USDA announced charges against more than 40 defendants in a nationwide SNAP fraud enforcement surge, with nearly $42 million in stolen food benefits at stake. Immigrant families who rely on SNAP are among the most targeted — and need to know how to protect themselves.
What if your EBT card was drained by someone else — and you had no idea until your groceries were declined at the register? That is exactly what happened to at least one mother whose benefits were stolen during a wave of fraud that federal prosecutors exposed in October 2026. She had to take out loans to feed her children.
The Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 13 U.S. Attorneys' Offices, announced a coordinated enforcement surge that ran from September 1 through late October 2026. The effort resulted in charges or convictions against more than 40 defendants. Prosecutors say the schemes caused nearly $45 million in intended losses — with roughly $42 million tied specifically to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal food assistance program commonly known as food stamps.
Immigration Deadlines 2026 — Free
Download PDF with all key dates
The largest single case involved two Chicago store owners, Jorag Yaseen and Rami Kanaan, indicted in the Southern District of Ohio on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege they used stolen EBT account numbers from Ohio and other states to run thousands of fake transactions between February 2024 and April 2025, causing an estimated $29.7 million in losses. In Georgia, rapper Mercedes New — known as Shawty Dred — was indicted on October 7 after investigators linked phone numbers associated with him to more than 9,000 calls into the SNAP phone system, accessing over 500 EBT accounts and causing an estimated $4.4 million in losses. In Oregon, a separate conspiracy involving Romanian nationals who were unlawfully present in the US used skimming devices to steal benefits and buy infant formula in bulk for resale on the black market. The scheme drained benefits from thousands of families. The crew's leader, Ana Patricia Escalante, was sentenced in September 2026 to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution.
Immigrant families who receive SNAP benefits are among those most at risk of being targeted by skimming schemes — and also among those least likely to report theft quickly. Skimming devices are placed on card readers at stores and ATMs to copy your card data without your knowledge. You do not lose your immigration status by reporting EBT theft to your state agency. Reporting is separate from any immigration process.
What to do if you think your EBT benefits were stolen
- Call your state's SNAP agency immediately. Report the theft and ask to have your card replaced. Most states allow you to request a replacement EBT card by phone or online.
- Ask about benefit replacement. Federal rules allow states to replace stolen SNAP benefits in cases of electronic theft. Your state agency can tell you whether you qualify and how to apply.
- Do not share your EBT PIN with anyone — not store employees, not people who offer to help you use the card, not callers claiming to be from the government.
- If you are an immigrant and worried about how reporting fraud might affect your case, speak with an immigration lawyer before contacting law enforcement — though contacting your state SNAP agency to report theft is generally considered safe and separate from immigration enforcement.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Immigrant SNAP recipients who are victims of EBT skimming have the right to report the theft and request benefit replacement without triggering immigration scrutiny — state SNAP agencies are not immigration enforcement bodies. If you receive any contact from federal investigators as part of a fraud inquiry and you are not sure of your role, do not speak to agents without an attorney present; anything you say can be used against you. Consult an immigration attorney if you have concerns about how a fraud investigation — even one where you are a victim — could intersect with your immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my green card or visa if my EBT card was stolen and used for fraud?
Being a victim of EBT theft does not affect your immigration status. You did not commit fraud — someone stole from you. Report the theft to your state SNAP agency. If you are ever contacted by federal investigators and are unsure of your role in any inquiry, speak with an attorney before answering questions.
Will reporting stolen SNAP benefits to the state agency alert ICE?
State SNAP agencies handle food assistance — they are not immigration enforcement. Reporting EBT theft to your state agency is generally considered safe and separate from any immigration process. Lawyers recommend doing it as soon as possible so you can request replacement benefits.
How do skimming devices steal my EBT benefits?
Fraudsters attach small devices to card readers at stores or ATMs. When you swipe your EBT card, the device copies your card number and PIN. The thieves then use that information to drain your account remotely. To protect yourself, cover the keypad when entering your PIN and check your balance regularly.
Can I get my stolen SNAP benefits replaced?
Federal rules allow states to replace SNAP benefits stolen through electronic theft, such as skimming. The rules and deadlines for applying vary by state. Contact your state SNAP agency immediately after you notice missing benefits and ask specifically about the electronic theft replacement program.