Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a national operation targeting illegal aliens accused of fraudulently collecting food stamp benefits.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Fox News on Tuesday that agents have already arrested several people who allegedly illegally used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a nationwide operation targeting illegal immigrants accused of fraudulently obtaining benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), resulting in multiple arrests, Fox News has learned.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the operation to Fox News, announcing several arrests of illegal immigrants accused of fraudulently receiving SNAP benefits.
"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," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
"These programs are for Americans only," he continued. "Even non-violent illegal alien crime can still have devastating consequences when they’re defrauding the American taxpayer."
Mullin said those already apprehended and deported by federal authorities represented "just a drop in the bucket," adding that the Trump administration would continue pursuing individuals accused of fraud.
DHS identified several illegal immigrants accused of SNAP fraud, including multiple Haitian nationals.
According to federal officials, Rubstony Junior Theodore, a Haitian national living illegally in the United States, was arrested by ICE as part of the operation. Theodore's criminal history includes arrests for larceny, obstruction of officers and trespassing, DHS said.
Three other Haitian nationals living illegally in the United States — Wilbert Jean Baptiste, Louis Jean and Jhensly Charles — were also arrested, according to DHS.
NEW: DHS confirms to @FoxNews that ICE has launched a nationwide operation targeting illegal aliens who have been illegally collecting SNAP benefits, & ICE has made their first handful of arrests, including these four Haitian illegal aliens: Rubstony Junior Theodore, whose prior arrests include larceny, obstruction of officers, and trespassing. Wilbert Jean Baptiste, Louis Jean, and Jhensly Charles. ICE: “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”. @SecMullinDHS statement to FOX: “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,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “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.”
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 21, 2026
DHS said the 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.”
Mullin further stated that the fraudsters DHS have 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.”
This operation is part of a broader Trump Administration effort to prevent food stamp fraud.
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