California Gubernatorial Race Heats Up
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is ramping up his accusations against Democratic opponent Xavier Becerra. Hilton claims that nonprofits funded by taxpayer dollars are creating a political strategy that exploits immigrant communities without legal status.
The focus of this conflict is on the Humane Immigrant Rights Alliance (CHIRLA) and its political branch, the CHIRLA Action Fund, which officially endorsed Becerra on April 13.
Hilton referred to a report from the California Department of Government Efficiency (CAL DOGE), suggesting that CHIRLA received millions in public funding while engaged in political activities related to Becerra’s campaign.
“Cal Doge’s new work: California taxpayers fund illegal immigration $$$ campaigned for Mr. Xavier Becerra in violation of federal law,” Hilton stated regarding his findings.
CAL DOGE was initiated by Hilton on January 26 as an anti-fraud and waste reduction measure aimed at eliminating corruption in the state government.
The highlighted document from CAL DOGE outlines what it describes as a “pipeline” approach, beginning with legal immigration services like DACA renewal and naturalization, and transitioning individuals to civic engagement tasks, such as voter registration and mobilization.
This same document provides insights into efforts aimed at “creating as many people as possible” to establish a voter base capable of influencing state politics.
Reports indicate that organizers are focusing on newly naturalized citizens, with efforts to maintain several pre-election contacts per voter through recruiters with various statuses, from illegal immigrants to Lawful Permanent Residents.
According to the summary, the CHIRLA Action Fund endorses candidates and allocates funds to support them.
CAL DOGE argues that this arrangement links taxpayer-funded services with political activities and claims individuals without legal work authorization are compensated for participating in campaign tasks.
CHIRLA has rebutted these allegations, insisting that the public funds they receive are strictly for legal services and social programs, not for political activities or protests.
Nevertheless, their support for Becerra was unmistakable.
“We are here today to make our support public and announce our commitment to ensuring that he is elected in the June 2, 2026 primary and then in November,” stated Angelica Salas, president of the CHIRLA Action Fund.
The group outlines its strategy as building a “civic pipeline” that transitions individuals from immigration support to voter engagement and political mobilization.
“Xavier Becerra will continue to be unable to accept aid from taxpayer-funded organizations that employ illegal immigrants to campaign for him,” Hilton clarified outside the CHIRLA office in Santa Ana.
Hilton and CAL DOGE are seeking an investigation into whether any laws have been broken by the organization, including improper compensation for individuals not authorized to work in the U.S. and whether taxpayer money has indirectly funded partisan activities.
This controversy arises as Becerra, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, is leading in polls ahead of the June 2 primary while facing increasing scrutiny from his opponents.
Criticism of Becerra has also emerged from within the Democratic Party.
Following a recent debate, former Justice Department official Xochitl Hinojosa remarked on a CNN panel, “Having worked in the Joe Biden administration, I don’t believe that Xavier Becerra would do something like that. I don’t think he can stand up to and lead Trump.”
Becerra’s campaign has not yet addressed the specific allegations.
