Department of Agriculture: Do NOT Deny Syrian Refugees Food Stamp Benefits

The Obama Department of Agriculture sent a letter to Georgia’s social services agency Wednesday, warning that if the state refuses to grant food stamp benefits to Syrian refugees, it would be doing so in direct violation of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

“As long as an applicant submits a SNAP application that includes the applicant’s name, address, and signature, the state agency must accept and process the application to be in compliance with federal law,” Jessica Shahin of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program wrote to officials in Georgia.

In the wake of the terror attacks in Paris, a November 16 executive order issued by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has halted the Obama administration’s resettlement program in that state. Georgia is 1 of 28 states in opposition to the current Syrian refugee program.

Shahin’s letter demands that Georgia lawmakers “rescind this memorandum and cease this practice immediately.”

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