Lawmakers debate bill to reverse new changes to SNAP for Immigrants and Refugees

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, there are approximately 6,300 refugees in Lincoln who have now lost crucial federal benefits because of changes mandated by President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Legislative Bill 843, debated at the state capital today, would require state officials to restore benefits to certain groups, such as refugees and immigrants.

Sarah Alheahom is a refugee from Iraq who now helps other refugees find stability.

She showed up at the capital on Thursday on behalf of her friend, who could not be there, another refugee who came to Nebraska from Sudan.

Alheahom’s friend is a single mom with five kids who recently lost her benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“They are struggling, they are stressed, they are living with anxiety. Their mom cannot sleep at night because she has to figure out how to bring food to the table,” she said.

Another refugee who attended the hearing for LB 843 to show his support was Mohammed Sahil.

He is the chair of the Omaha refugee task force.

Sahil says that many refugees from his home country of Afghanistan fought in the US military with the promise that they would come to America and receive aid.

“They feel betrayed. The reason they are thinking this way is that these were the people who put their lives on the line for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan,” he said.

Eric Savaiano is the Program Manager for Food and Nutrition Access at Nebraska Appleseed.

He has been pushing for increased access to nutritious food for families through outreach and policy change.

Savaiano says that when SNAP eligibility was first changed, it caused harm to many communities across Nebraska.

“It was a bill that removed asylees, refugees and certain visa holders from the SNAP program, which is causing all kinds of harm in communities all across Nebraska,” he said.

“We’ve seen that result in evictions, people not having the rent that they need, the food that they need for themselves or their families.”

Saviano says he has high hopes for LB 843.

“I hope that we’re going to come to a consensus and get questions answered so that the senators move it forward in the process,” he said.

If the bill passes, lawmakers must request a federal waiver to restore benefits to many immigrant and refugee families.