US Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Undocumented Immigrants Accused of Food Aid Fraud; Several Arrested

Washington: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a nationwide operation targeting undocumented immigrants accused of fraudulently obtaining benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal food assistance scheme. Several arrests have been reported as part of the enforcement drive, according to federal authorities.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrests to Fox News. DHS said those detained include nationals of Haiti and Cuba who were allegedly residing in the country illegally and had accessed the federally funded programme.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the operation, saying taxpayer-funded assistance should not go to people who are unlawfully present in the country. He described the arrests as the beginning of a broader effort to investigate alleged fraud involving public benefits.

Among those identified by DHS is Haitian national Rubstony Junior Theodore. Authorities also named three other Haitian nationals — Wilbert Jean Baptiste, Louis Jean and Jhensly Charles — as having been arrested. Cuban national Elizabeth Povea Rodriguez was also identified in connection with the operation. The allegations against the individuals have been reported by federal authorities.

DHS said the operation would continue as part of a wider crackdown on the alleged misuse of government-funded assistance. Federal law generally bars people living in the US unlawfully from receiving SNAP benefits, although certain lawfully present non-citizens may qualify under specific eligibility rules.