The Trump administration made a big announcement on Monday that they started looking into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants. This state program gives monthly cash benefits to a small group of aged, blind, and disabled noncitizens who can’t get Social Security benefits because of their immigration status. The investigation started in Los Angeles, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles field office issued a Title VIII subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had some strong words to say about the situation. She mentioned that the politicians in California are more focused on illegal aliens than their own citizens, and they are giving these aliens access to cash benefits. Noem also added that the Trump Administration is determined to find any abuse or exploitation of public benefits and ensure that illegal immigrants aren’t receiving federal benefits to stay illegally in the country. She ended her statement by saying that if you’re an illegal immigrant, you should leave now because the gravy train is over. The subpoena is just the beginning, and it’s only targeting Los Angeles County for now.
The investigation is looking into various records, including applicants’ names, date of birth, copies of applications, immigration status, proof of ineligibility for benefits from the Social Security Administration, and affidavits that supported the application. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office didn’t respond to requests for comments, but the California Department of Social Services mentioned that they are reviewing the Trump administration’s request about the program managed by L.A. County. The program, which was created in 1998 under Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, is fully funded by the state and administered by counties on behalf of the state. It’s generally not available for undocumented Californians.
Tanya Broder, who is a senior counsel on health and economic justice policy at the National Immigration Legal Center, criticized the Trump administration’s investigation as “highly misleading.” She clarified that the program was established to help seniors who lost their monthly assistance due to a 1996 federal law that made them ineligible for federal SSI benefits. California stepped in and used its own money to provide benefits to these immigrants. Benyamin Chao, from the California Immigrant Policy Center, expressed concern about the subpoena, calling it an overreach that threatens the privacy of vulnerable Californians. Kevin R. Johnson, a law professor at UC Davis, mentioned that the scope of the subpoena is very broad and could have serious implications for immigrants and those supporting them.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s investigation into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants is causing quite a stir. While the government aims to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving federal benefits, critics argue that the program is state-funded and helps vulnerable populations. The repercussions of this investigation could have far-reaching effects on immigrant communities and raise concerns about privacy and potential criminal prosecution. Only time will tell how this situation unfolds and the impact it will have on those involved.
