DHS Initiates Legal Action Against California's Immigrant Support Program

In a significant legal maneuver, the Department of Homeland Security has targeted California's financial aid initiative for immigrants with subpoenas. This effort focuses on acquiring comprehensive records from Los Angeles County to determine if individuals without legal status in the U.S. have improperly obtained funds linked to the Social Security Administration since 2021.

At the heart of this legal scrutiny is the state's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), which dispenses financial support to particular elderly, blind, and incapacitated legal immigrants who are not eligible for federal social security benefits due to their immigration status.

The Los Angeles branch of Homeland Security Investigations—a division within DHS—has initiated a probe requiring documentation for:

Individuals benefiting from Los Angeles County's CAPI who have been lawfully admitted into the U.S., individuals granted parole, those provided conditional entry, or those whose deportations have been suspended. This includes Afghan and Ukrainian individuals under humanitarian parole, aiming to assist those aged 65 or older, who are blind, or disabled.

DHS reports indicate over two million unauthorized immigrants received Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024 alone.

The Public Policy Institute of California projects that slightly more than half of the financial aid disbursements are allocated to recipients aged 65 or older, which encompasses about 15,000 lawful residents who fail to meet the additional criteria necessary for social security benefits.

The previous month, a directive was issued by President Trump aiming at reducing benefits that could attract individuals unlawfully residing in the U.S. This directive instructs the DHS secretary to collaborate with heads of Labor and Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. attorney general to enforce that unauthorized immigrants do not receive Social Security funds and to pursue legal action against states or municipalities potentially violating such policies.

DHS Secretary's Statement

In a statement to the press, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized "radical left politicians in California" for allegedly prioritizing unlawful migrants over U.S. citizens by enabling their access to financial benefits. She affirmed the Trump Administration's resolve to combat the misuse and exploitation of public funds, ensuring those unlawfully present in America do not benefit from federal assistance or monetary incentives to prolong their stay.

"Illegal immigrants should consider departing now," Noem asserted, signifying a halt to what she termed a "gravy train" of benefits. She emphasized that while the current legal action targets Los Angeles County, this is only the beginning of wider enforcement.

Nicole Sganga reports on homeland security and justice matters for CBS News. Based in Washington, D.C., she contributes to the network across various shows and platforms.