The federal government is investigating a California program that is allegedly doling out Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security suspects that the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, administered by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, dating back to 2021, has provided Social Security benefits to ineligible illegal immigrants.
The subpoena, issued by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations team in Los Angeles, requests applicants’ names, dates of birth, immigration status, applications, and proof of ineligibility for Supplemental Security Income from the federal Social Security Administration.
“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,” DHS 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.”
California claims its program is “100 percent state-funded,” and provides monthly benefits to disabled illegals “who are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status.”
The investigation comes after the Trump administration directed DHS and other agencies “to ensure ineligible aliens are not receiving funds from Social Security Act programs.”
“If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now,” Noem added. “The gravy train is over. While this subpoena focuses only on Los Angeles County – it is just the beginning.”
DHS said over 2 million illegals received Social Security numbers last year under the Biden administration.
