New Bedford Rep. Cabral Favors Non-Citizen SNAP and Cash Benefits

Representative Antonio "Tony" Cabral (D-New Bedford) has testified in favor of a House bill that would provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and direct cash assistance to "legally present" non-citizens residing in Massachusetts.

According to the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance (MFA), a Senate version of the legislation (S.117), filed by Assistant Majority Leader Sal N. DiDomenico (D-Everett) has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for its consideration.

From 1997 to 2002, Massachusetts did offer those benefits to non-citizens; however, according to MFA, the program was eliminated by Republican Governor Mitt Romney.

The New Bedford Light reported on September 18, 2025, that Cabral filed the House version of the legislation (H.207) and that he testified in favor of the bill before the Joint Committee of Children, Families, and Persons With Disabilities.

"We actually set aside $40 million in 1997 to address this same problem," Cabral told the committee, according to the Light.

Get our free mobile app

MFA, in a video posted to social media, asked Cabral if the benefits would act as a magnet to attract additional non-citizens to Massachusetts. Cabral responded, "Residents of the Commonwealth," but did not specify the length of time someone would have to be a resident to qualify for the benefits.

"Whatever is required to be a resident," was Cabral's reply as he headed for a State House elevator.

The Light reported a senior policy analyst with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute estimated Cabral's bill could cost taxpayers between $15 million and $20 million to implement for a full year.