The Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into Los Angeles County, issuing a subpoena to examine records related to a state-administered assistance program that may have improperly provided federal benefits to undocumented immigrants.
The investigation centers on California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, with federal authorities seeking documentation spanning from January 2021 to present day. Officials are specifically investigating whether program recipients illegally obtained
Supplemental Security Income benefits despite their immigration status making them ineligible.
DHS’s Title 8 subpoena demands various documents from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, including application materials, immigration status verification, proof of SSI
ineligibility, and supporting declarations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed strong criticism of California’s policies, stating that left-wing politicians in the state have prioritized unauthorized immigrants over citizens by providing access to cash benefits. Noem warned that such practices would no longer continue, indicating that the Los Angeles investigation marks the beginning of broader enforcement actions.
The investigation follows President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum signed on April 15, which instructs federal agencies to strengthen their efforts against Social Security Act fund misuse. The directive, implementing Executive Order 14218, emphasizes preventing payments to ineligible recipients and specifically targets those without legal immigration status.
According to DHS statistics, fiscal year 2024 saw over 2 million unauthorized immigrants receive Social Security numbers under previous policies. The department is now collaborating with other federal agencies to halt further benefit distributions to ineligible individuals.
The Social Security Administration has aligned itself with the White House’s directive. Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek affirmed the agency’s dedication to ensuring benefits reach only eligible recipients. The administration has implemented several measures, including reviewing suspicious earnings reports and considering the reinstatement of civil monetary penalties for fraudulent activities.
Recent actions by the Social Security Administration include the reclassification of more than 6,300 Social Security numbers as ineligible after discovering recipients who had entered the U.S. on parole despite having criminal records or raising national security concerns.
Trump’s memorandum outlines specific measures to combat benefit fraud, including directing federal agencies to concentrate enforcement efforts in regions with significant unauthorized immigrant
populations. The directive also calls for expanding fraud prosecution programs through special assistant U.S. attorneys, with particular emphasis on combating identity theft and improper benefit payments.
The investigation represents a significant escalation in federal efforts to ensure compliance with benefit eligibility requirements and prevent unauthorized access to federal assistance programs. While the current focus is on Los Angeles County, the action suggests a broader initiative to examine similar practices in other jurisdictions.
When contacted by The Epoch Times, key stakeholders including California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, and the California Department of Social Services did not provide responses regarding the investigation.
The probe highlights growing tension between federal and state authorities over immigration-related policies and the administration of public benefits. As federal agencies intensify their oversight of benefit programs, the investigation may signal increased scrutiny of state-level assistance programs and their compliance with federal eligibility requirements.