ICE Launches Nationwide Operation Against Alleged SNAP Food-Benefit Fraud, First Arrests Made, DHS Says

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed to Fox News that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a nationwide operation targeting people suspected of fraudulently obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and that the first arrests have already been made, T-SPAN reported, relaying the Fox News report. SNAP is the federal food-assistance programme for eligible low-income households.According to DHS, the four Haitian nationals arrested in the initial operation are Rubstony Junior Theodore, Wilbert Jean Baptiste, Louis Jean and Jhensly Charles. DHS says all four entered the United States unlawfully and subsequently accessed SNAP benefits fraudulently — that is the department's allegation, as reported by Fox News; no court findings against the four were described in the reports. DHS said Theodore's previous arrests reportedly include larceny, obstruction of officers and trespassing.ICE said: "These arrests mark the opening salvo in a sustained, large-scale ICE operation specifically targeting illegal aliens who have fraudulently accessed SNAP benefits that American taxpayers fund exclusively for U.S. citizens in need. Every one of these individuals entered the country unlawfully, then proceeded to draw from a program designed to feed struggling American families, in some cases while carrying criminal records."DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News: "Illegal aliens who have no right to be here in the first place are the last people who should be using SNAP benefits and other forms of welfare. These programs are for Americans only. Even non-violent illegal alien crime can still have devastating consequences when they're defrauding the American taxpayer. The illegal alien fraudsters that we've already arrested and deported are just a drop in the bucket, and the Trump Administration is committed to going after all these thieves and bringing them to justice."For diaspora readers, the operation is the latest sign that federal enforcement is widening beyond workplace and street operations into benefit programmes. The fraud claims in this story are DHS and ICE allegations reported by Fox News and relayed by T-SPAN and in republication of the Fox report; they have not been presented here as proven facts. Sources: DHS confirmation to Fox News, reported by T-SPAN (Oct. 21) and republished from the Fox News report on GETTR (Oct. 21).