The Department of Homeland Security has subpoenaed records from California's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) in an investigation led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Los Angeles. According to KTLA, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, which administers the state-funded program, has been asked to present records dating back to January 2021, as part of an inquiry into whether immigrants in the country illegally received federal benefits.
This legal move targets a program that provides financial assistance to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens unable to access federal Supplemental Security Income due to their immigration status. HSI is demanding a range of documentation, including applicants' names, dates of birth, copies of applications, immigration statuses, and affidavits supporting their applications, in a subpoena that was designed to root out potential abuse of public benefits by those not legally entitled to them. In a statement provided to CBS News, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused California politicians of putting immigrants over American citizens by allocating funds to non-citizens.
The scrutiny comes as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration. On April 15, President Trump signed a memorandum directing federal agencies to ensure that undocumented immigrants do not receive Social Security benefits and to consider enforcement actions against any states or localities found to violate federal law. Governor Gavin Newsom's office, when requested for comment by KTLA, did not respond in time for publication.
According to a press release from the DHS, HSI is acting under the orders of DHS Secretary Noem. Secretary Noem has been quoted as stating, "If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over." This hardline stance signifies the administration's commitment to prioritizing the interests of U.S. citizens and safeguarding taxpayer dollars, especially in the wake of revelations that more than two million ineligible illegal aliens supposedly received Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024 alone.
Details of precisely how many individuals or what amounts of money might be involved in the DHS's investigation have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the Public Policy Institute of California estimates that about 15,000 legal residents in Los Angeles County alone could be drawing funds from the CAPI program, which is intended for recipients who are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled and who have satisfied lawful presence requirements. These legal actions and investigations, as per DHS's communications, appear to be ongoing with the possibility of further actions to come.
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