When Kamran arrived in Iowa as a refugee, his family of eight depended on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put meals on the table. A new provision in the federal Big Beautiful Bill now bars many refugees and asylees from receiving SNAP benefits, and the loss is being felt across the state.
Policy change leaves refugees in limbo
The legislation, passed last year, redefines eligibility for SNAP by requiring recipients to hold permanent resident status. Without a green card, refugees like Kamran and Danielle – who fled conflict in Syria and a Kenyan camp respectively – are no longer eligible for the program.
“It’s like we are back again in Syria, and we feel lost,” Kamran said, describing the anxiety of watching his six children go hungry. “If we have the means, we cook our own food. If we don’t, we just eat bread.”
Danielle echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “devastating” and saying her family feels stuck in legal uncertainty, unable to move forward.
Local pantries see record demand
Urbandale Food Pantry, one of the few safety nets remaining for these families, reports that its “anytime room” – a space where anyone can walk in for food – is operating at near‑capacity. Pantry CEO Patty Sneddon‑Kisting said the site averaged 390 visits per day last week, with a peak of 397, a new all‑time high.
“Our shelves can be full, but the demand is overwhelming,” Sneddon‑Kisting explained. “We’re seeing more people of all walks of life come in daily, and the need is growing faster than our ability to restock.”
Advocates warn of broader impact
Jody Mashek of the Iowa Migrant Movement Center for Justice warned that the policy shift could push many refugee families into deeper poverty. “These individuals are being told they must adjust their status to permanent resident or lose benefits,” Mashek said. “They are already struggling with housing costs, health care, and language barriers; losing SNAP only compounds the crisis.”
Iowa Health and Human Services, the state agency that administers SNAP, declined to comment on the recent changes.
How the community can help
Local organizations are urging residents to support food pantries through donations, volunteer time, and partnerships with food‑rescue programs. “Anyone in need of food should reach out to their nearest pantry,” Sneddon‑Kisting advised. “And anyone who wants to help can donate or volunteer – every contribution makes a difference for families like Kamran’s and Danielle’s.”
As the state grapples with the fallout from the federal rule, refugees and their advocates continue to call for a reconsideration of the policy that leaves vulnerable families without a basic safety net.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
