Trump administration investigates California’s benefits to immigrants. Critics say its claims are misleading

Los Angeles Times ^ | May 12, 2025 6:55 AM PT | Jenny Jarvie

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The Trump administration announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, a state program that provides monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Social Security benefits due to their immigration status.

The investigation began in Los Angeles, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles field office issuing a Title 8 subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security said in a news release.

According to the department, the subpoena requests all records from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, the agency that administers the state program, to determine if ineligible immigrants received supplemental security income from the Social Security Administration over the last four years.

“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

“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,” Noem added. “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.”

According to Homeland Security, its Los Angeles investigations field office is subpoenaing records including applicants’ name and date of birth, copies of applications, immigration status, proof of ineligibility for benefits from the Social Security Administration and affidavits that supported the application.

The investigation comes after President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 15 to stop immigrants lacking documentation from obtaining Social Security Act benefits in what he called a bid...

[Steely Tom]

Tell us about what the critics say. They’re the real story.

[AZJeep]

Let them get these benefits in their own country!
US should not be caring for all world poor, blind, disabled and elderly!

[Flash Bazbeaux]

The critics are criticizing, critcally.

[Mariner]

If they’re operating legally, they have nothing to worry about.

[Bernard]

ineligible for Social Security benefits due to their immigration status.

Is it just their status, or that they never paid into the system in the first place?

[roving]

“They imply that people who are undocumented are receiving benefits, and they’re implying that they’re receiving federal benefits, when we’re talking about a state-funded program,” she said.

[Tennessee Nana]

No IMMIGRANTS received anything

Those benefits were stolen from American taxpayers and given to illegal aliens

[Steely Tom]

Let them get these benefits in their own country!
US should not be caring for all world poor, blind, disabled and elderly!

You're not the kind of critic they're interested in.

[dragnet2]

Oh sure, the allegations are misleading because those running CA are honorable dedicated public servants who are always on the lookout for fraud and corruption. Public servant heroes.

[gildafarrell]

The investigation is LONG overdue.