A federal court ruling has clarified that immigrants who hold green cards may qualify for food assistance regardless of their prior immigration status, while shielding states from certain penalties tied to confusing federal guidance. But Maryland advocates say uncertainty over changing eligibility rules is still keeping some families from seeking benefits they qualify for. U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai ruled Sept. 17 in a case brought by 22 states and the District of Columbia. He found that U.S. Department of Agriculture guidance issued in October 2025 was arbitrary and contrary to federal law because it failed to explain why immigrants in humanitarian categories who become lawful permanent residents would remain ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. “The Court’s judgment will reflect that LPRs are eligible for SNAP regardless of prior status,” Kasubhai wrote. The ruling does not make all immigrants eligible: applicants must meet other SNAP requirements, and eligibility is limited by federal law. The dispute stems from H.R. 1, the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025. The law narrowed SNAP eligibility for noncitizens to certain groups, including lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people lawfully residing in the United States under a Compact of Free Association. States argued that subsequent USDA guidance misleadingly suggested that some refugees, asylees and other humanitarian immigrants could not qualify even after receiving green cards. The judge also ruled that administrative errors resulting from the October guidance cannot be included in states’ SNAP payment error rates. Federal rules give states 120 days to implement program changes before errors during that adjustment period count against them. But the USDA’s Oct. 31, 2025, guidance treated that period as beginning July 4, when H.R. 1 took effect—leaving it nearly over by the time states received the guidance. Kasubhai said the administration had given states contradictory and misleading instructions and then sought to penalize them for failing to implement the changes on time. The ruling protects states from penalties tied to errors under that guidance; it does not eliminate the separate financial risks states face under H.R. 1. Maryland’s payment error rate was 13.08% for federal fiscal year 2025. Unless the rate improves, the state could be responsible for more than $240 million in SNAP benefit costs starting in 2027. Under the new law, states with error rates of 6% or higher may have to cover 5%, 10% or 15% of benefit costs, depending on their rate and subject to exceptions. The state Department of Human Services reports that more than 4,500 Maryland households have lost meal assistance because of citizenship-related provisions in H.R. 1. The states’ court filing also said Maryland agencies saw a 25% increase in calls from residents affected by the USDA guidance. LaMonika Jones, director of Maryland Hunger Solutions, said nearly 40,000 Maryland households have lost SNAP access since H.R. 1 passed, including households with children. She said that when families lose food assistance, they must redirect money from other household needs to pay for food, worsening financial instability and food insecurity. Ray Serrano, national director of research and policy at the League of United Latin American Citizens, said the decision clarifies that humanitarian immigrants who obtain green cards can qualify, but fear of losing benefits may continue to discourage eligible people from applying. Families without SNAP, he said, may turn to food banks or go without food. Jones said states need adequate time and clear instructions to implement federal changes and keep payment errors down. For Maryland families, advocates say, the immediate concern remains whether shifting eligibility rules and fear around immigration status will prevent people from getting assistance they are entitled to receive.