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This week, I filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s unlawful and confusing new guidance that threatens to cut off SNAP, known in California as CalFresh, for certain lawful permanent residents who are eligible to receive these benefits under federal law.
Our message is simple: Federal agencies cannot misinterpret the law, rush states into major changes, or put out sloppy instructions that risk taking food away from families.
At a time when many households are already struggling to put meals on the table, and especially during the holiday season, no one should lose their benefits because of political games. As California Attorney General, I will always fight to make sure families receive the food assistance they are legally entitled to and protect the programs millions rely on.
In solidarity,
Rob
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Protecting Food Assistance Programs
 My office, along with a coalition of 21 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent guidance illegally restricting eligibility for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides monthly food benefits to low-income families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In California, SNAP, known as the CalFresh Program, is administered by the California Department of Social Services and is an essential hunger safety net to 5.5 million Californians each month.
We’re arguing that USDA's guidance for implementing the “Big Beautiful Bill” erroneously excludes certain lawfully residing non-citizens from SNAP eligibility, when they in fact are eligible when they become lawful permanent residents. Without court intervention, the guidance will cause errors in eligibility determinations, which could deprive thousands of legal permanent residents of food assistance and lead to devastating financial penalties for states.
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Fighting Funding Restrictions Expected to Worsen Homelessness Crisis
 This week, I joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general and two governors in suing the Trump Administration over funding restrictions it recently placed on the Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program. CoC is the federal government’s flagship program for funding affordable housing and other services for individuals at risk of and experiencing homelessness. Seeking to implement President Trump’s “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets” Executive Order, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on November 13 that it would impose new restrictions on CoC funding. We’re arguing that these restrictions are unlawful and would force tens of thousands of formerly homeless individuals and their families back onto the street.
Under both Democratic and Republican presidents, HUD’s Continuum of Care Program has helped states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations combat homelessness and provide safe, stable housing to our most vulnerable residents. This program has proven to be effective at getting Americans off the streets, yet the Trump Administration is now attempting to illegally slash its funding.
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Keeping Funding for Crime Victim Grants
 The U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) has backed down following a multistate lawsuit and committed to drop illegal conditions on Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant funding. Last month, I joined 20 attorneys general in challenging a new condition prohibiting recipients of various public safety and victim services grants from using funding to provide legal services to undocumented immigrants. Many of the organizations that receive these funds provide critical wraparound services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and elder abuse — services that could be described as “legal” under U.S. DOJ’s vague definition — irrespective of an individual’s immigration status. With this stipulation and dismissal, we preserved California organizations’ ability to use the over $160 million in grant funding that the State received this year, and tens of millions of funding from prior years, to provide legal services to victims of crimes without unnecessary and unlawful restrictions.
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Standing Up for States’ Authority to Safeguard Residents from AI Risks
 This week, I joined a bipartisan coalition of 36 state attorneys general in sending a letter to Congress opposing a proposed provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that would preempt state laws addressing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). In the letter, the attorneys general argue that, while artificial intelligence promises to be a transformative technology in multiple fields, it also poses significant risks, especially to children, and that states must be empowered to utilize existing laws and formulate new approaches to mitigate potential harms associated with artificial intelligence. Without appropriate guardrails, artificial intelligence poses significant risks to Americans nationwide, whether they be deepfake-empowered scams, AI outputs that drive individuals toward mental illness and self-harm, or AI chatbots that take part in sexual roleplay with children. We urge Congress to reject any attempts to limit our ability to protect state residents from emerging threats, artificially generated or otherwise.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 Making Your Life Affordable From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
Happy Holiday Season, California! Amid this season of cheer, many Californians once again exemplify the true spirit of generosity by volunteering time, donating goods, or making financial contributions to support charitable organizations doing incredible work in our communities. California DOJ encourage all Californians to extend a helping hand but be wary of potential scammers who might exploit your generosity and compassion.
What We Are Doing: Attorney General Bonta encourages donors to take the necessary steps to ensure that their hard-earned donations get to the charities of their choosing by checking the registration status of charities you give to, only giving to organizations you trust, and being extra careful when making donations via your phone or computer.
What This Means to You: With costs rising and consumers feelings the squeeze, the material needs of many communities are rising. Californians should be sure that their hard-earned money and contributions are going to legitimate charities and fundraisers that help these communities. If you believe that a charity or fundraiser is engaged in misconduct, please report it immediately at oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints. For more information on how to protect yourself against charity fraud, visit our donation tips webpage at oag.ca.gov/donations.
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Keeping You Safe: Supporting Local Agencies Fighting Illegal Tobacco Sales to Underage Youth
 My office announced the recipients of the California Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposition 56 Tobacco Grant Program. The grant recipients are 62 local government agencies located throughout the state, including law enforcement agencies, prosecuting agencies, public health departments, cities, and counties. In total, they will receive $28.5 million to support their efforts to reduce illegal tobacco sales to underage youth. This year’s funding prioritized retail enforcement and education as part of our commitment to fighting the illegal sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors. Funded activities include "flavor ban" enforcement efforts, minor decoy operations, shoulder tap operations, prosecution, tobacco retail license inspections, retailer education programs, task force coordination, training for officers on tobacco laws and ordinances, monitoring retailer compliance, and more. The grant recipients we have selected this year are committed to both holding accountable those who break the law and ensuring a healthier, safer future for the next generation. I’m proud to support and partner with these local government agencies.
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CARE Corner
 The Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) invites you to a virtual presentation on the California DOJ's Cybercrime Section. The Cybercrime Section is comprised of professionals who investigate and prosecute technology-related crimes in California, such as internet fraud, scams, cyberstalking, and more.
Register today for this virtual presentation to learn about their work and receive helpful tips.
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Post of the Week
 Black Friday is a uniquely American holiday where the promise of deep discounts drives people out in droves to shop until they drop. But this year, the stores may seem emptier than usual. Read more in my latest Substack.
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Video of the Week
 Office of Native American Affairs Director Janet Bill went to law school to learn how to use the law to advocate for Native communities.
Learn more about her Tribal heritage, inspirations, and hobbies in her Meet Your DOJ!
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General IV, Healthcare Rights and Access Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Employment Law Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Native American and Tribal Affairs Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Public Finance and Contracts Unit
Deputy Attorney General IV, Land Use and Conservation Section
Outreach Analyst, DMFEA Administration Section
Senior eDiscovery Specialist, Legal Support Services
Oracle Database Administrator, Technology Support Bureau
Executive Support Analyst, PRD Executive Section
Workday Support Consultant, Office of Human Resources
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