Bill That Would Give Illegal Immigrants Up To $150,000 To Buy Homes Heads To Gavin Newsom’s Desk

A bill passed by the California state legislature on Wednesday that would make some illegal immigrants in California eligible for generous cash assistance to buy homes has been sent to the desk for consideration of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to Politico.

Under AB 1840, illegal immigrants with social security or taxpayer-identification numbers would qualify for a program called California Dream for All that gives first-time home buyers up to $150,000, with recipients only having to pay interest if they sell the property, Politico reported. Newsom has declined to comment on whether or not he will sign the bill after some moderate Democrats joined Republicans in the California Senate in an attempt to block the legislation.

California Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener said on Tuesday that illegal immigrants who would qualify for assistance under the law are “exactly the kind of people that you want in your community,” according to a California Senate transcript.

“These are people who are working and paying taxes, and yes, they should be able to buy a home,” Wiener said. “They should be part of this program.”

Republican opponents of the legislation, however, have argued that the state’s limited resources should go to American citizens who need assistance, Politico reported.

“We have Californians who are not undocumented immigrants, who need these services,” Republican State Sen. Brian Dahle said on Tuesday, according to the California Senate transcript. “We should take care of them first, before we expand it out.”