DHS Investigates California Program Over Alleged Social Security Payments

DHS Launches Investigation into California’s Immigrant Assistance Program

The Department of Homeland Security has initiated an investigation into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Officials allege the state-funded program improperly provided Supplemental Security Income benefits to undocumented immigrants who were not legally entitled to receive such assistance through Supplemental Security Income. This investigation examines whether taxpayer dollars intended for legitimate Social Security and SSI recipients were misallocated.

DHS has issued a subpoena to CAPI’s Los Angeles office, demanding records of all SSI payments made to migrants since 2021. Secretary Kristi Noem stated the agency will not permit taxpayer dollars to be “squandered” on migrants who entered the country illegally.

“Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens,” Noem declared in an official statement. “The Trump Administration is working to identify abuse of public benefits and ensure those in the country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or financial incentives to remain.”

What is California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants?

CAPI is a fully state-funded program established to provide monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled noncitizens who are ineligible for federal Social Security benefits solely due to their immigration status. The program offers benefits comparable to what recipients would receive from Social Security if eligible.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, approximately 1.1 million California residents receive SSI and State Supplementary Payment monthly grants. During fiscal year 2024-2025, CAPI served 16,556 people.

California officials maintain that the program is not generally available to undocumented residents. A spokesperson noted that CAPI was created in 1988 under Republican Governor Pete Wilson as a state alternative to the federal SSI program.

Trump Administration’s Position on Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants

The DHS subpoena demands comprehensive records including:

• Applicants’ names and birth dates
• Copies of benefit applications
• Immigration status information
• Proof of ineligibility for federal Social Security benefits

This investigation follows President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum directing federal agencies to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving Social Security Administration benefits. The directive aims to eliminate incentives for illegal immigration and protect American taxpayers’ resources.

The memorandum also prioritizes enforcement actions against states or municipalities that violate provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.

Eligibility Requirements for Noncitizens Seeking Social Security Benefits

Under the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, immigrants without legal U.S. residency status became ineligible for Social Security benefits. The Los Angeles Times reports that only a limited number of California residents qualify for CAPI benefits – specifically low-income noncitizens who meet the Eligibility Requirements for Noncitizens Seeking Social Security Benefits established in 1996.

DHS officials claim that more than 2 million undocumented immigrants received Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024. However, the Social Security Administration states that generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can receive Social Security numbers.

Economic Contributions of Undocumented Immigrants

Despite limited access to Social Security benefits, undocumented migrants contribute significantly to tax revenue. A 2024 analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy revealed that undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022.

Additionally, migrant workers with employment authorization contributed:

• $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes
• $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes

Nevertheless, most remain ineligible to receive benefits from federal programs, including Social Security, despite their tax contributions to these systems. For a deeper look at the Economic Contributions of Undocumented Immigrants, see our detailed analysis.