DHS investigates California's Cash Assistance Program for immigrants, raising questions about federal fund usage.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued subpoenas to investigate California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Allegations suggest that the state may be misusing federal funds intended for the program, primarily benefiting illegal immigrants. The investigation could impact around 9,700 recipients relying on CAPI for support. Legal experts warn of potential privacy concerns for applicants as this probe unfolds, indicating a significant escalation in federal scrutiny over state-funded immigrant assistance.
California is under scrutiny as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued subpoenas to investigate allegations of improper federal benefit disbursements to illegal immigrants. The focus of the investigation is the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), which is designed to provide cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who do not qualify for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
This investigation arose from the issuance of subpoenas this week by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Los Angeles. The subpoenas target the operations of the CAPI program dating back to 2021, and request personal information from applicants, including their names, dates of birth, immigration status, and documentation related to their applications.
Allegations against California’s program suggest that the state has been funneling substantial amounts of federal taxpayer dollars into initiatives that, according to critics, primarily benefit illegal immigrants. A study conducted by the Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) claims that California created a “money laundering scheme,” allegedly leading to over $19 billion in federal reimbursements from April 2023 to December 2026, without any state contribution.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has publicly criticized California’s political leadership for what she sees as a prioritization of illegal immigrants over citizens, emphasizing that the current investigation represents merely the beginning of heightened federal scrutiny. There are concerns that this investigation may have repercussions for many individuals currently receiving assistance through the CAPI program, which serves approximately 9,700 recipients, providing an average monthly benefit of $1,077.
The California Department of Social Services maintains that the CAPI program is wholly state-funded and does not provide benefits to undocumented individuals. However, the state’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, vetoed legislation in 2023 that sought to expand the CAPI program to include illegal immigrants, illustrating the contentious nature of the program and its benefits.
Legal experts have raised concerns that the broad scope of the subpoenas could endanger the privacy and legal protections of applicants. Critics argue that these actions may instill a chilling effect on lawful immigrants eligible for state benefits, making them apprehensive about applying for necessary support due to fears of deportation or the loss of privacy.
Opponents of the subpoenas describe this move as an extension of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over states’ determinations regarding the allocation of funds for immigrant assistance programs. This aligns with a broader initiative from the Trump administration aimed at investigating potential misuse of Social Security benefits by unauthorized immigrants across the country.
In summary, the issuance of subpoenas by DHS marks a significant investigation into California’s financial assistance programs for immigrants. As the state government contends its programs are legitimate and state-funded, the federal government’s intensified scrutiny raises questions about the future of immigrant assistance in California. The unfolding situation illustrates the ongoing tension between federal and state authorities regarding immigration policies and benefits distribution.
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