(DailyChive.com) – California Governor Gavin Newsom recently blocked a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get large home loans. The bill, called AB 1840, was part of the “California Dream for All” program. It would have given illegal immigrants up to $150,000 in loans to help buy their first homes. This money could be used to cover up to 20% of a home’s cost as a down payment.
Newsom explained his decision in a letter. He said the state only has so much money to spend on housing programs. Expanding these programs to include illegal immigrants, he argued, would need to be carefully considered. He believes it’s important to look at the state’s overall budget before giving away such large amounts of money. “For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill,” he wrote.
The bill’s supporters, mostly Democratic lawmakers, argued that it was about fairness. They said illegal immigrants should have access to the same benefits as other people living in California. During a hearing on the bill, Democratic Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes defended the idea. She said the loans wouldn’t be handed out to just anyone. In her view, the program was designed to help hardworking people who contribute to the state’s economy, regardless of their immigration status.
Critics, however, questioned whether it makes sense to spend taxpayer money this way. California is already facing a serious housing crisis, and many legal residents struggle to afford a place to live. Some argued that state resources should go to citizens and legal residents first, especially when there’s limited funding available. This veto likely reflects the balance Newsom tries to strike between supporting immigrant communities and managing the state’s finances responsibly. While Democrats pushed hard for the bill, the governor’s decision shows he’s concerned about stretching the state budget too thin. As California continues to face growing problems with housing costs, this debate isn’t likely to go away any time soon.
In the end, Newsom decided that the money could be better spent elsewhere, though many in his own party may disagree.
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