Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations office in Los Angeles has issued a federal subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.
The agency is requesting records as part of an inquiry into whether immigrants in the country illegally received federal benefits.
The Title 8 subpoena, served to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, which administers the state-funded program, seeks documentation for all applicants dating back to January 2021. CAPI provides cash aid to immigrants ineligible for federal Supplemental Security Income due to their immigration status.
HSI Los Angeles is subpoenaing the following records:
- Applicant’s name and date of birth
- Copies of applications
- Immigration status
- Proof of ineligibility for SSI from the Social Security Administration
- Affidavits in support of the application
According to the program’s website, “CAPI is a 100% state-funded program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment solely due to their immigration status. The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) eliminated SSI/SSP eligibility for most non-citizens. As a result, most immigrants who were not receiving SSI/SSP in August 1996 are no longer eligible for SSI/SSP. The amount of CAPI benefits is equivalent to the amount of SSI/SSP benefits.”
The investigation comes after President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on April 15 aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits.
According to the department, the directive orders federal agencies to coordinate efforts to ensure only eligible recipients receive aid and to consider civil or criminal enforcement actions against states or localities found to be in violation of federal law.
KTLA reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office but didn’t receive a response in time for publication.