‘We’re trying to restrict food’: Nebraska pantry chief warns of citizenship checks for emergency food from the government

, Neb. —

If you qualify for emergency food from the federal government, otherwise known as TEFAP, you could be required to prove your citizenship in Nebraska.

This comes after Trump’s administration pushed an executive order six months ago allowing for states to decide how they regulate their TEFAP program.

Roughly 20-25% of food at pantries is purchased with federal dollars under the emergency food assistance program or TEFAP.

Mike Hornacek, the CEO of Together Omaha, said in 16 years, he’s never had to turn anybody away.

“We’re trying to restrict the most basic human resource, food to people that need it,” Hornacek said.

DHHS data shows in 2025 Nebraska received $2.1 million worth of food for the TEFAP program and more than $2.8 million worth of what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls bonus food.

Sen. Michaela Cavanaugh said this could also affect non-citizens.

“Low-income people are not going to be showing up with their birth certificates, even if I mean, even if you are here as a legally born-here citizen, you probably don’t have your birth certificate,” Cavanaugh said.

Tim Williams, the director of Government Affairs and Advocacy for Food Bank for the Heartland, said their worry is in the unknown.

“What we don’t know is the how that would show up and the when that would show up. which, as we all know, right, is a little frustrating,” Williams said.

Williams said he is worried that pantries could opt out of participating in the TEFAP program altogether.

If this takes effect, it is unclear how the food banks will police citizenship requirements. Most said they do not have the staff to handle this additional task.

When KETV reached out to Gov. Pillen’s office they did not respond.

A statement DHHS sent to KETV said they are still in the process of gathering information but has not determined any changes at this time.