The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched an investigation into California after it was caught providing federal benefits to illegal immigrants, and leaving U.S. residents out to dry. The move comes as the blue state continues to defy federal immigration policies, offering taxpayer-funded benefits to individuals who are not legally authorized to be in the country. The investigation underscores the growing tensions between state and federal authorities, as California’s sanctuary state status clashes with national immigration laws.
On Monday, the DHS announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Field Office issued a Title 8 subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). The program provides benefits to illegal aliens who are ineligible for Social Security benefits because of their immigration status. The subpoena requests that the state give all records from the L.A. County Department of Public Social Services to determine if ineligible illegal aliens received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration during former President Joe Biden’s presidency.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized California's radical left politicians for prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens by providing them access to cash benefits. She emphasized that the Trump administration is working to identify abuses of public benefits and ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving federal aid or incentives to remain in the country.
Noem called on illegal immigrants to leave, stating that "the gravy train is over,” noting that the subpoena issued to Los Angeles is just the beginning of efforts to address the issue.
The Labor Department also announced it would withhold federal grant funding from states that persist in providing unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants.
“Our nation’s unemployment benefits exist solely for workers who are eligible to receive them,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer wrote. “Unemployment benefits are not a handout for those in our country illegally.”
This comes after President Donald Trump signed the Memorandum Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits to stop incentivizing illegal immigration and protect taxpayer dollars. In 2024, under Biden’s administration, more than 2 million illegal immigrants received Social Security Numbers.
