DHS investigates California over giving federal benefits to illegal immigrants

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is investigating California for allegedly providing federal benefits to illegal immigrants and has subpoenaed numerous records from the State of California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) beginning in January 2021.

DHS said 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 (SSI) from the Social Security Administration, between January 2021 to present."

Records that were included in the request included the names of all applicants as well as their date of birth, copies of applications for the CAPI program, immigration status of those who applied, as well as affidavits in support of the applications, and other information.  

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said of the investigation, “Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits."

“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. 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," she added.

The press release from DHS goes onto cite that over 2 million illegal immigrants were able to obtain Social Security numbers in 2024 under former President Joe Biden. The last administration saw record rates of illegal immigration, but the number of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border has dropped off significantly.