A bill in the California legislature proposes providing up to $150,000 in first-time homeownership loans to illegal immigrants, sparking outrage among some residents who feel it is unjust to prioritize non-citizens over long-time taxpayers.
California is considering a taxpayer-funded home loan program for illegal immigrants, a move that has drawn criticism from some residents who argue that the state cannot afford to expand the program to non-citizens.
The bill, AB 1840, would require the California Housing Finance Authority's home purchase assistance program, known as the California Dream for All Program, to include applications from illegal immigrants. The bill cleared the state Senate on Tuesday and awaits further action.
California Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Taxpayer-Funded Home Loans for Illegal Immigrants
The California Dream for All program has already run out of funds just 11 days after being instituted in June, awarding 1,700 first-time homebuyers. Finding more funding for the program was a major concern in the floor debate this week.
Longtime California resident Faith Lersey, who recently moved to South Carolina to purchase a home, expressed outrage over the proposed expansion of the program to illegal immigrants.
California Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Taxpayer-Funded Home Loans for Illegal Immigrants
"That just, that just seems asinine to me," Lersey told Fox News Digital. "Why would you assist a population that is undocumented to attain homeownership in a place where citizens who, like me, had been in an area for a long time, a generational history, they are having enough trouble achieving that milestone."
Lersey also questioned the motives behind the proposal, suggesting that it may be driven by political interests rather than the welfare of California residents.
California Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Taxpayer-Funded Home Loans for Illegal Immigrants
Another California resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the state has a moral obligation to prioritize the housing needs of its own citizens before providing assistance to illegal immigrants.
"It's simply unfair to give taxpayer-funded loans to people who have broken the law by entering the country illegally," the resident said. "There are many American citizens who are struggling to afford homes, and they should be the ones receiving assistance from the government."
California Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Taxpayer-Funded Home Loans for Illegal Immigrants
The proposal has also raised concerns about the potential impact on the state budget. California is already facing billions of dollars in debt, and droves of residents have left the state in recent years due to the high cost of living.
A spokesman for California's Department of Finance confirmed that the California Dream for All program has no money left to supply the program. It is unclear where the state would find the funding to expand the program to include illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, the bill comes amid a national election in which immigration has taken center stage. The Trump campaign has attempted to tie Vice President Kamala Harris to Biden administration border policies that have proven unpopular with voters.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been a surrogate for both Biden and Harris, has not yet said whether he will sign the bill into law if it clears the legislature before the Aug. 31 deadline.
If passed, the bill would provide first-time homebuyers up to 20% of a home's value or up to $150,000 as down payment assistance.
