Homeland Security Investigations served a Title 8 subpoena to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, which administers California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.
While the cash assistance program is a state-funded initiative, the federal subpoena seeks records from January 2021 to the present to determine whether any recipients received Supplemental Security Income benefits but who were ineligible, based on their immigration status.
The requested documents include applications, immigration status records, proof of Supplemental Security Income ineligibility, and supporting affidavits, DHS said in an announcement.
“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“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.”
Trump’s memorandum directs federal agencies to investigate fraud and prioritize enforcement in areas with high numbers of illegal immigrants. It also calls for expanding fraud prosecution programs through special assistant U.S. attorneys, particularly targeting identity theft and improper benefit payments.
The Social Security Administration previously expressed support for the White House memo and outlined steps it is taking to prevent future benefit fraud. In an April 16 statement, acting Commissioner Leland Dudek said the agency is committed to ensuring that benefits are “paid only to those who should receive them.”
The Social Security Administration said it is reviewing questionable earnings reports and considering whether to resume civil monetary penalties in cases of fraud. The agency also confirmed that it recently reclassified more than 6,300 Social Security numbers as ineligible after identifying recipients who had been paroled into the U.S. despite criminal records or national security concerns.
In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) said it is reviewing the federal request related to the program, which is administered by Los Angeles County.CDSS said that CAPI is “100 percent state funded” and “not generally available to undocumented Californians.” The department added the program was created in 1998 under Governor Pete Wilson (R) and provides support to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals who have lawful status, legal protections, or are applying for them—including victims of crime and human trafficking.
The department added that during fiscal year 2024–25, CAPI served more than 16,000 people statewide.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times before publication.
