California is under federal scrutiny as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launches an investigation into claims that public benefits were improperly extended to undocumented immigrants.
At the center of this probe is the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), which was designed to support elderly, blind, and disabled immigrants who don’t qualify for federal aid. However, a subpoena issued to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services — the agency that oversees CAPI — seeks records dating back to January 2021. Investigators are looking into whether individuals not legally eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may have received it anyway.
According to legal experts like UC Davis law professor Kevin R. Johnson, CAPI is intended only for legal immigrants who meet strict eligibility standards. Still, DHS wants to determine if any unauthorized recipients slipped through the cracks.
“This is about making sure taxpayer dollars are going where they’re supposed to,” Johnson explained in a statement to ABC7. He added that while the program is aimed at lawful residents or those with pending legal status, the federal government may be responding to concerns that some misuse may have occurred.
The investigation comes as part of a broader policy push by the Trump administration to enforce tighter control over federal benefits. On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed a memorandum aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing Social Security benefits. The directive calls for collaboration between DHS, the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, and the Attorney General to prevent any misuse of federal funds.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that California’s leadership is prioritizing undocumented individuals over legal residents. “Programs like this should not be offering incentives for people to remain in the country unlawfully,” she said. “Our goal is to stop the misuse of federal aid and hold local governments accountable.”
Noem added that the subpoena is just the beginning, noting that while it currently focuses on Los Angeles County, the DHS may expand its investigation across the state.
The Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom responded, defending the program by saying it’s designed for individuals with legal protections or those actively working toward legal status — including survivors of crime or trafficking.
Whether this probe leads to major policy changes or enforcement actions remains to be seen. But for now, DHS is signaling that it intends to take a closer look at how states administer federal programs — and whether any lines have been crossed.