California’s Spending on Illegal Immigrants
A recent report reveals that California has expended over $11 billion in taxpayer money to provide illegal immigrants with free healthcare, food, housing, legal support, education, smartphones, and even car insurance.
This situation highlights what some are calling a strategy by the Democratic Party to financially support undocumented individuals as a means to gain power and influence.
The state’s welfare system is specifically designed to assist California residents facing difficulties. However, critics argue that the current administration has manipulated these programs to support undocumented immigrants, as stated by Christopher Rufo from City Journal.
Rufo labels this situation as a “shadow welfare system,” where tax dollars are allocated to noncitizens. During his investigation, he visited several state offices in Southern California, and staff confirmed that illegal immigrants can enroll in California’s public assistance programs. He emphasizes that the amount spent on these services for undocumented immigrants exceeds $11 billion.
Rufo reported, “Local officials were remarkably transparent. In Glendale, we spoke to a welfare officer about California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), a state-funded program that provides monthly cash assistance to low-income noncitizens who are elderly or disabled.”
He further noted that illegal immigrants can qualify for CAPI, public health insurance, and various tax credits. Their children are also eligible for programs like CalWORKs and Section 8 rental subsidies. According to Rufo, a family of five—comprising two undocumented parents, two U.S.-born children, and one undocumented grandparent—can access public services valued at over $100,000 annually.
Moreover, he pointed out that undocumented individuals can receive state-subsidized car insurance “regardless of immigration status,” allowing them to drive without fear of legal repercussions.
Democrats have managed to create this expenditure by implementing localized programs that allow them to bypass restrictions on funding for noncitizens. They also adjust regulations by categorizing undocumented immigrants as “permanently residing under color of law,” thereby extending benefits despite existing federal laws.
This approach includes justifications based on the welfare of children, with few programs imposing citizenship requirements. California is not the only state employing such tactics to navigate federal rules regarding assistance for illegal migrants; similar actions are reported in states like Illinois and New York. Nonetheless, Rufo emphasizes that California’s financial burden is particularly significant.
