A new bill in the California state legislature would offer less expensive loans to illegal aliens attempting to purchase a home in the state alongside citizens. The proposed measure comes as the United States has taken in more than six million illegal aliens since President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
The measure was introduced by State Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D), which would expand eligibility for lower-interest home loans to illegal aliens.
The bill says that “an applicant under the program shall not be disqualified solely based on the applicant’s immigration status.”
The bill would expand the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loans program which can cause up to 20% of the home’s purchase price not to accumulate interest or be counted toward monthly repayment. The 20% would then be repaid when the property is refinanced or resold.
The original program was intended to aid working and middle-class Americans.
Arambula said that there was “ambiguity” for illegal aliens, whom he called “undocumented individuals,” under the program. The assemblyman further said that such borrowers would have otherwise “qualified under existing criteria.”
He called the situation a “pressing need,” sparking the bill.
Prioritizing illegal immigrants over struggling citizens for first-time homebuyer benefits is a slap in the face to hardworking Americans.
Our focus should be on helping Californians, not extending perks to those who aren't even citizens. https://t.co/VIdpwDzw51
— Supervisor Jim Desmond (@jim_desmond) March 1, 2024
The effort in the California legislature also came after 2023 officials marked the highest number of migrants entering into the country in history. Figures from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showed that there were more than three million attempted crossings last year.
In addition, December 2023 marked the highest rate of attempted crossings on a monthly basis on record. During that month, CBP officers had more than 300,000 migrant encounters along the nation’s borders.
The state’s relatively lax approach to illegal immigration has led to an increase in the flow of migrants into the Golden State.
Other states, such as Texas, Arizona and Florida have sent migrants to other states, including self-described sanctuary locations, including California. Texas has launched a state-level effort to prevent crossings, including deploying police and National Guard soldiers to the Rio Grande.
