Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Field Office has issued a Title 8 subpoena to the State of California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), seeking records to investigate potential fraud involving federal benefits.
CAPI is a state program that provides financial assistance to non-citizens who are ineligible for federal Social Security benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), solely due to their immigration status.
The subpoena specifically targets the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, which administers the CAPI program locally. HSI is requesting comprehensive records spanning from January 2021 to the present. The stated purpose is to determine if “ineligible illegal aliens” have improperly received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration.
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The records subpoenaed by HSI Los Angeles include:
- Applicant’s Name and Date of Birth
- Copies of Applications for the CAPI program
- Documentation of Immigration Status
- Proof of Ineligibility for SSI from the Social Security Administration
- Affidavits submitted in Support of the Application
Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the action, stating, “Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits.” She added, “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.”
The action aligns with a directive from President Donald Trump. On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed the Memorandum Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits.
The memorandum aims to stop what the administration describes as incentives for illegal immigration and protect taxpayer dollars.
It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with other federal agencies, to ensure that ineligible individuals do not receive funds from Social Security programs and to prioritize enforcement actions, including potential civil or criminal penalties, against states or localities for possible violations of Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).
The administration cited figures alleging that “under the previous administration, more than 2 million ineligible illegal aliens received a Social Security Number in fiscal year 2024 alone.”
The Department of Homeland Security stated it will collaborate with federal partners to fulfill the administration’s commitment to prioritize American citizens and their tax dollars. The subpoena signals an increased focus on state and local programs that benefit immigrants and their potential intersection with federal benefit eligibility.
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