WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – The state of Michigan saw a 60% increase in the number of noncitizens receiving food benefits in 2023.

That’s the most recent data released from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on citizenship status of people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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The USDA states that illegal immigrants are not eligible for the supplemental food program. Michigan’s noncitizens on SNAP increased from 20,000 in 2022 to 32,000 in 2023, a 60% increase.

The number of noncitizens refugees in this state jumped from 8,000 in 2022 to 15,000 in 2023. The number of other noncitizens increased from 12,000 to 17,000.

Noncitizens include refugees who are defined as individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum or a stay of deportation.

The cost in 2023 would have been about $151.8 million a year, based on the assumption that all 32,000 noncitizens received the average monthly benefit of $395.23 per month in 2023.