The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a subpoena to the State of California in a federal investigation into whether undocumented immigrants have received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in violation of federal law.
The subpoena, issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Field Office, targets records from California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
The subpoena, announced in a DHS press release on Monday morning, directs the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services to turn over documentation related to individuals enrolled in CAPI since 2021.
🚨 JUST IN: The Trump admin has launched a probe into the state of CALIFORNIA for providing federal benefits to illegals
“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” DHS… pic.twitter.com/QM6ReriWZd
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 12, 2025
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The investigation aims to determine if individuals who are ineligible for federal benefits based on immigration status received taxpayer-funded SSI payments.
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The requested documents include:
- Applicant’s full name and date of birth
- Copies of application forms
- Immigration status documentation
- Proof of ineligibility for federal SSI benefits from the Social Security Administration
- Affidavits submitted in support of each application
The CAPI program provides monthly cash benefits to certain immigrants who do not qualify for federal SSI due to their immigration status but meet all other program requirements.
The inquiry marks the first known federal subpoena of this kind since President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a warning in her official statement Monday, stating that DHS intends to crack down on states that continue to offer financial incentives to individuals residing in the country unlawfully.
“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” Noem said.
“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 move comes just weeks after President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits.
That order directs the DHS Secretary, in coordination with the Department of Justice and the Social Security Administration, to ensure that only eligible individuals receive federal benefits, and authorizes legal action against jurisdictions found in violation.
President Trump just signed an order to stop illegal immigrants from obtaining benefits under the Social Security Act and prioritize enforcement actions.
Here is the text:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of…
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2025
Los Angeles County, which administers CAPI at the local level, has not yet publicly responded to the subpoena.
State officials in Sacramento have also not released a statement addressing the DHS demand or indicating whether they plan to comply.
The federal government’s investigation is focused on whether improper coordination between state-level programs and federal benefit eligibility guidelines has resulted in violations of Title 8 of the U.S. Code, which outlines restrictions on public benefits for non-citizens.
The Trump administration’s current enforcement strategy signals that additional subpoenas or legal actions may soon follow, potentially targeting other counties or states with similar aid programs.
According to DHS, the investigation into CAPI is one part of a broader national initiative to prevent unlawful access to federal public benefits and to ensure accountability among states administering assistance programs.
It remains unclear whether the current investigation will lead to civil or criminal enforcement, but DHS officials confirmed that further actions will be determined based on the findings of the initial document review.
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Kalifornia of course provided and is providing financial assistance. They are so far left they think they are their own country, ignoring for the most part Federal Law because being super liberal they think inviting illegal immigrants into their already deep blue Democratic majority they will be able to vote since Newman has given them drivers licenses specifically allowing them to register to vote. True Californian’s are sick of the leftist bent political system in place. It’s no wonder the majority of Californian’s leaving this sick state move to conservative red states. Those of us left who can’t leave due to business’s or owning property are forced to pay the outlandish taxes and regulations making this one of the worst business states of the 50. Hopefully they will punish Newsoms administration who have destroyed the Fabrick of freedom in our state, lifting the tyranny of far leftist socialistic endeavors thrust upon the citizens of Kalifornia.
To stop ILLEGAL immigration we need to stop the crazy people that provide incentives them to come here.
Extremely bad to use taxpayer money for something that is ILLEGAL