Elizabeth Antonowicz

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, approximately 2 billion people in the year 2019 were affected by food insecurity worldwide. Though the United States has created policies to aid efforts in decreasing this issue, many individuals struggle to maintain access to nutritious, fulfilling food outside the U.S., as well as within the nation itself. Legislation such as the Global Food Security Act of 2016 addresses the need to increase food security, however, it is unclear how the United States plans to address this problem internally. Due to the internal implications of food insecurity,many populations face this problem at a heightened level, especially those who migrate to the United States. Though the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 expanded welfare to individuals of immigrant status, many are not able to obtain efficient assistance in securing food. In fact, most individuals must wait 5 years to earn “qualified immigrant status,” before meeting eligibility requirements for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Though policies claim to willingly promote a nation dedicated to providing global food security, it is essential to question why the United States has not created laws to target populations who experience food insecurity at a higher rate (such as immigrants) and how they can adjust policy to accommodate this in the future.