Posted on 05/12/2025 2:12:57 PM PDT by Signalman
Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom is under new federal scrutiny as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opens an investigation into whether the state improperly funneled taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens.
The DHS probe, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Los Angeles, focuses on the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) — a 100 percent state-funded program designed to provide monthly benefits to non-citizens ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to their immigration status.
According to a Title 8 subpoena issued by HSI Los Angeles, federal officials are demanding records from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), which administers the controversial program. Investigators are seeking documents from January 2021 to the present, including applicants’ names, dates of birth, immigration status, and proof of ineligibility for federal SSI payments.
“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement Monday. “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 the current subpoena targets just Los Angeles County, Secretary Noem made clear the investigation could widen. “This is just the beginning,” she said.
The inquiry stems from growing concerns within the Trump administration that states like California may be violating federal law, specifically Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), by indirectly providing federal benefits to individuals ineligible under immigration law.
On April 15, President Trump signed the Memorandum Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits, directing DHS and other federal agencies to investigate and enforce compliance. The move comes amid revelations that more than 2 million ineligible aliens were issued Social Security Numbers in fiscal year 2024, a figure the administration calls “staggering.”
CAPI was created in the aftermath of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, which barred most non-citizens from accessing federal SSI benefits. While California has defended the program as a state-funded safety net for elderly, blind, or disabled immigrants, critics argue that the system has been used to abuse public resources and attract illegal immigration.
According to the program’s guidelines, applicants must reside in California and prove they are ineligible for SSI based solely on immigration status. However, DHS is investigating whether illegal aliens received federal SSI funds in addition to CAPI — a violation that could carry serious civil or criminal penalties for the state and its administrators.
California officials have not yet commented on the subpoena or the broader investigation. Governor Newsom has long positioned himself as a national leader on immigration, frequently clashing with federal authorities over border enforcement and sanctuary policies.
But under President Trump’s second term, DHS is sending a clear message: states that disregard federal immigration law may now face legal consequences.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS will not allow U.S. taxpayer dollars to be squandered on illegal aliens,” the department said in a statement.
As the investigation unfolds, more counties and agencies could face subpoenas, and Governor Newsom’s immigration policies may come under even greater federal pressure.
Please Mr President, you have to stop. We can’t take all this winning(we can)
Yes, they funnel taxpayer dollars to illegals and yes, it is wrong.
As an escspe from the peoples republic of kalifornikation
News-scum and his band of liberals progressives and communists get their just deserts.
Can constant bragging to the media about doing it be considered a confession or at least be entered as evidence?
Do MA next..
“We can’t take all this winning...”
Winning? What ha e we won. All I see is headline after headline e about illegal immigrants this and tarrif that. They deport a few landscapers and people out side of Home Depot but the likes of Newsom and his fellow democrats face no justice. Just a lot of talk about investigstions.
Guarantee that many illegals were getting SSI and CAPI payments. Dems probably skimmed some $$$ too.
Somehow this will goto the 9th circus. Which means SCOTUS to slap the 9th, again.
Follow the money. So far the left (and the main stream media) have covered denying illegal aliens due process (Kilmar Garcia to El Salvador), cutting funding to medical research, cutting off funding to PBS and NPR, and other items. So far, I haven’t seen the media claiming illegal aliens have a right to social security benefits. We will see if the Trump administration can prove that illegal aliens have received those illegal payments.
Not to worry......it will be dragged out in Court, shopped to an Activist/Owned Judge, and by the time it gets to the “Robert’s Court”, he’ll invent some contorted excuse (same as he did with Obamacare), to wipe out any Deep State Agenda interference. Count on it.
Which means SCOTUS to slap the 9th, again”
don’t bet the farm on that one.
Here’s a clue to who got most of the money that Newsom said was going to aid illegal aliens in the state as well as the “unhoused”; the Kalifornia political criminal cabal looted it. Newsom and a whole lot of Kalifornia democrat politicians belong in prison!
Wouldn’t a decision that California violated federal law be interesting, especially, if the State was required to refund the money to the federal Treasury? California already has a serious budget problem.
Gavin Newsom is a greasy worm.
Good! Get the SOB who ruined California.
LONG OVERDUE
“ don’t bet the farm on that one.”
For this, I would bet the farm. No way SCOTUS was going to be further to the left than 9th. It’s not in their DNA.
No. Do Massachusetts FIRST.
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