Additional Coverage:
- California lawmakers pass bill that could make undocumented immigrants eligible for home loans (newsbreak.com)
In Sacramento, California, a new legislative measure that could allow undocumented immigrants to receive state help when purchasing a home has been passed by the state Legislature and is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision. The bill asserts that immigration status should not prevent an individual from qualifying for a state-sponsored program aimed at aiding first-time homebuyers if they meet all other criteria.
This bill has caused significant stir among lawmakers, with Democrats lining up in favor while Republicans opposed it during a final vote that saw strict party divisions. Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat from Fresno who authored the bill, emphasized that the legislation targets fairness and seeks to alleviate the housing shortage more than it concerns immigration law itself.
Arambula highlighted the bill’s intention to assist “hard-working, responsible” individuals aspiring to homeownership and the ability to pass that benefit to future generations. This, he noted, includes undocumented immigrants who have spent many years in the state and contributed through taxes.
Contrastingly, Republican legislators voiced concerns that the state should prioritize housing resources for legally residing families. State Sen. Brian Dahle, a Republican, articulated the need to focus on these families before expanding benefits to others.
Governor Newsom has until the end of September to decide whether to approve or reject the legislative proposal.