AG Torrez Sues Trump Admin Over USDA Funding Conditions

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Filed March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined 21 other attorneys general in suing the Trump Administration over its alleged unconstitutional attempt to impose conditions related to immigration, gender identity, and DEI on USDA funding. The lawsuit seeks to block the USDA from imposing these conditions on critical programs like SNAP, WIC, and the school lunch program.

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What changed

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, as part of a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) imposition of conditions on billions of dollars in federal funding. The lawsuit specifically targets conditions related to immigration, gender identity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that the coalition argues are unconstitutional and unlawful. The suit seeks to block the USDA from attaching these unrelated conditions to essential programs such as the school lunch program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The lawsuit cites violations of the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), alleging the conditions lack clear notice, are arbitrary and capricious, and exceed the USDA's statutory authority.

This action has significant implications for states relying on USDA funding for critical social services. The lawsuit highlights that these conditions, which reportedly became effective at the end of 2025, create uncertainty for states by failing to clearly define the policies to which they must adhere, leaving them vulnerable to the administration's enforcement. Regulated entities, particularly state agencies administering these programs, should be aware of this legal challenge and its potential impact on program funding and operations. While the lawsuit seeks to block the conditions, entities should monitor the litigation's progress and be prepared for potential disruptions or changes in funding requirements if the court does not rule in favor of the states.

What to do next

Monitor litigation progress regarding USDA funding conditions.
Review state-specific USDA program requirements for any changes related to immigration, DEI, or gender identity policies.

Penalties

The lawsuit asserts that the USDA has threatened harsh penalties if states do not comply with the agency’s vague and expansive funding conditions.

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Attorney General Raúl Torrez Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Holding Hostage Billions in Critical USDA Funding

March 24, 2026

Albuquerque, NM – Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general this week in suing the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional and unlawful attempt to impose conditions related to immigration, gender identity, and diversity, equity and inclusion, on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, grants, cooperative agreements and more. The lawsuit demands that the court block the USDA from imposing these illegal funding conditions on critical programs such as the school lunch program, Special Supplemental Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“These programs are essential to feeding New Mexico children, families, senior citizens and rural communities. Almost half a million New Mexicans rely on SNAP funding alone for family meals, and I will not stand by while this administration continues to attempt to take food from the tables of our working families,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “By implementing these completely unrelated conditions to this funding, the administration is illegally and deliberately withholding nutrition from New Mexicans in a time when our country is already struggling with rising costs. We should be expanding access to food assistance – not undermining it.”

The coalition asserts that the USDA has threatened harsh penalties if states do not comply with the agency’s vague and expansive funding conditions, which are completely unrelated to the purpose of USDA funding. The lawsuit explains that these conditions, which became effective at the end of 2025, require that states promise to comply with the Trump Administration’s policies – but fail to identify or limit which policies the states must comply with – leaving states at the mercy of the administration for enforcement of the new conditions.

In their lawsuit, Attorney General Torrez and the coalition allege the Trump Administration has violated the Spending Clause of the United State Constitution by imposing coercive conditions without clear notice, and that the administration also violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because conditions are arbitrary and capricious, not constitutional, contrary to law, and beyond USDA’s statutory authority.

USDA programs feed about 30 million children across the nation through the school lunch program, strengthen the American food ecosystem from farm to table, support national security through a robust and safe domestic agriculture community, fund university research to advance domestic food production, and save lives and infrastructure by funding firefighting programs. In New Mexico, more than 450,000 people rely on SNAP benefits alone to feed their families.

Copy of the Lawsuit v. USDA

Joining Attorney General Torrez in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.