As California governor Gavin Newsom considers whether to sign or veto a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants access to low-cost loans for first-time homes, Republicans across the state are expressing concern over the project. The bill has already passed the California Assembly and Senate with votes largely split along party lines, illustrating the state's Democratic supermajorities.
One of the most vocal critics within the GOP has been Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who told Newsweek he believes the bill "sends a message to the rest of the world to come to California, whether legally or illegally."
"California Democrats are offering illegal immigrants more and more handouts every day—first, it was free healthcare, and now it's free down payment assistance. This will lessen the money available for veterans and their families to purchase homes."
Jones also said that bills like AB 1840 are "dangerous for our economic health and will further exacerbate affordability issues in California's housing market."
Jones' sentiment has been echoed by the state's Republican party. The organization's chairwoman, Jessica Millan Patterson, told Newsweek that "California Democrats are passing extreme housing policies that are a complete slap in the face to the 86 percent of Californians who can't afford to purchase a home in the state". She also took a few jabs at her rival party and questioned the overall feasibility of the project:
"What makes it worse, leave it to California Democrats who can't count themselves out of a paper bag to pass legislation that lacks any mechanism to even fund it. California Democrats are not serious people, and Californians are left to suffer the consequences of this party's incompetence."
Assembly Bill 1840 is sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, who has made a point of emphasizing that the legislation is not about immigration or the broader housing crisis but about fairness but rather that the existing program's ambiguity discourages undocumented people from applying, despite meeting the financial criteria.
Furthermore, supporters, including affordable housing advocates and immigrant rights groups, argue that the bill aligns with California's values of equity and inclusivity.
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