California Democrats are working on a new bill that would provide benefits to illegal migrants, but Republican legislators are trying to block it.
Senate Majority Leader Brian Jones stated that it was insulting for California Democrats even to consider expanding unemployment benefits to immigrants who are not citizens. The unemployment insurance fund has a deficit of $20 BILLION under the Newsom administration. We can’t afford to extend benefits to illegal immigrants.
In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Jones explained that the Employment Development Department (EDD) is still struggling to manage the overwhelming demand for benefits following the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Democratic Senator Maria Elena Durazo introduced SB 227. It would require that the EDD develop a detailed Plan to Establish a Permanent Excluded Workers Program. This program will provide cash assistance to unemployed workers, who are not eligible for unemployment benefits due to their immigration status.
Jones stated that the EDD is still dealing with COVID-19 and its failure to stop tens of billions in fraudulent unemployment claims.
Jones added: “Until EDD can demonstrate that it has systems and procedures in place to ensure timely benefits, and to prevent fraud, they should not be given new responsibilities or costs.”
Jones stated that the bill’s passage would place additional demands on the EDD and increase expenses, divert resources from the implementation of essential reforms, and push the state to undermine federal immigration laws.
This radical proposal sends out a dangerous signal: Come to California and receive free money just for not working. “As California grows, so does the rest of America,” Jones said. “Americans need to be concerned that a Harris-Waltz Administration will implement this policy across the country,” Jones said.
Assemblyman James Gallagher of California echoed Jones’s comments and stated that small businesses suffer due to mismanagement.
Gallagher stated, “Newsom has already raised taxes on small businesses to pay back the debt he accrued with his mismanagement during COVID of our unemployment system.” “Democrats’ plan to open benefits to illegal migrants will only invite fraud and waste money.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if Democrats focused as much on bringing down our highest-in-the-nation unemployment rate as they do on pushing new giveaways to illegal immigrants?”
Gov. Newsom’s Office said that the measure would be evaluated on its merits, and the deadline for signing or vetoing legislation on the Governor’s desk was September 30.
The Senate introduced a second bill that would provide benefits to illegal immigrants.
The California Legislature advanced AB 1840 last month. This program was known as “California Dream for All”. It would have offered illegal immigrants up to $150,000 for first-time homeowners loans.
This bill seeks to prevent applicants from being disqualified from a California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), home purchase assistance program based on their immigration status. Newsom wrote in his veto that, given the limited funding for CalHFA’s programs, the expansion of program eligibility should be carefully considered as part of the overall state budget. This will ensure we are managing our resources efficiently.
“This is why I’m unable to sign the bill.”
