The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into California over the alleged payment of cash benefits to undocumented immigrants.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced on May 12 that the agency has issued a Title 8 subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.
“The subpoena requests all records from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services — who administers the state program — to determine if ineligible illegal aliens received Supplemental Security Income from the Social Security Administration, between January 2021 to present,” according to a DHS statement.
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, testifies in front of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025.
Among the records sought by federal officials are the names and dates of birth of applicants, their immigration statuses, proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration, copies of applications and affidavits in support of applications.
What is CAPI (the California Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants)?
California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, or CAPI, provides assistance equivalent to federal Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Program benefits to “aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment solely due to their immigration status,” according to the California Department of Social Services website.
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It was created in response to the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, which barred most immigrants from receiving SSI/SSP benefits, officials said.
The program is “100% state-funded,” according to DSS.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says this is ‘just the beginning’
The new investigation builds on the Memorandum Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits signed by President Donald Trump on April 15, which was intended to crack down an distributions of taxpayer-funded benefits to undocumented immigrants, according to DHS.
It seeks potential violations of U.S. Code Title 8, pertaining to “Aliens and Nationality.”
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Noem accused “radical left politicians” in California of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over citizens.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at commencement at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
She said more than 2 million immigrants who were not eligible to be issued Social Security numbers received them under the Biden administration during fiscal year 2024.
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“The Trump Administration is working together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally,” she said. “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over. While this subpoena focuses only on Los Angeles County — it is just the beginning.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Homeland’s Kristi Noem launches probe of California immigrant program