The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday that it is looking into whether California has purposefully distributed federal benefits to individuals without legal immigration status.
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Field Office in Los Angeles has issued a Title 8 subpoena to the California Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). As per DHS’s explanation, this program offers benefits to individuals not qualified for Social Security benefits due to their immigration status.
As part of their investigation, HSI is requesting specific records, which include:
- Name and date of birth of the applicant;
- Copy of the application;
- Immigration status;
- Proof of ineligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration;
- Affidavits supporting the application.
“Politicians on the extreme left in California prioritize undocumented immigrants over citizens, allowing them access to cash benefits,” stated DHS Director Christa Noem. “The previous administration is taking steps to expose potential abuse and ensure that people in this country are not wrongfully benefiting from federal funds. If you are in this country illegally, you should leave now. Those days of easy access are over.”
DHS pointed out that a memorandum signed by President Donald Trump in April prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving Social Security Act benefits. It cautions agencies against promoting illegal immigration by offering taxpayer-funded benefits to non-citizens.
This directive instructs DHS to obstruct undocumented individuals from accessing Social Security funds and to focus on holding accountable states and regions that violate the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). The DHS is collaborating with the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Attorney General’s Office to address the misuse of federal funds.
Furthermore, DHS claimed that under the Biden administration, over 2 million ineligible individuals received their Social Security numbers in 2024 alone, attributing this situation to the border crisis allegedly created by Democratic policies.
