Trump wants access to information of elderly and disabled immigrants who received financial assistance during the pandemic

Los Angeles, (EFE) – The Trump administration announced it has launched an investigation into the California Economic Assistance for Immigrants (CAPI) program, which provided financial assistance to elderly or disabled undocumented immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigators, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, served a subpoena on Los Angeles County seeking access to its records on the program’s implementation during the pandemic.

The Trump administration is seeking access to the names, dates of birth, and immigration status of program applicants, among other classified information, DHS reported in a press release.

The investigation is part of a strategy against states governed by Democrats whose policies have supported undocumented immigrants.

“Radical leftist politicians in California prioritize undocumented immigrants over our own citizens, even by granting them access to cash benefits,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

The secretary said the search for information will extend beyond Los Angeles, although authorities in that city are expected to refuse to provide that information.

During the pandemic, California led an effort to provide an economic incentive to undocumented immigrants whose immigration status prevented them from receiving unemployment benefits or other federally granted economic incentives.

The California Legislature authorized a one-time payment of $600 to CAPI beneficiaries to alleviate economic hardships stemming from COVID-19.

The Trump administration has falsely accused undocumented immigrants of abusing the Social Security system, but these immigrants cannot access these benefits because they do not have a valid number.

In its crusade, the Republican administration has also failed to take into account that most undocumented immigrants have their unemployment, Social Security, retirement, and other benefits deducted from their paychecks.

This group of immigrants paid approximately $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes in 2022, according to a recent analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. These funds go to government coffers and do not return to these foreigners.

California is the state with the highest number of undocumented immigrants in the country, with more than two million people without legal status, who work in sectors vital to its economy such as agriculture, construction, and services. EFE