On Tuesday, California lawmakers in the State Senate approved a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to qualify for first-time homebuying loans.
The measure passed on a 23-11 party-line vote in the State Senate. The proposed legislation has been sent back to the Assembly for its final vote of approval before being sent off to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The bill, formally known as AB 1840, would expand the eligibility requirement for the state’s first-time homebuyer loan program, the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation program, to allow undocumented immigrants who live in the state to use it.
The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation loan program launched in 2023 and helps qualified first-time homebuyers with down payments.
The program was initially created to help low-and middle-income individuals buy homes. Still, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), who introduced the bill, previously told KTLA that the program doesn’t address eligibility based on immigration status.
“The program hasn’t been clear about eligibility for undocumented individuals, and AB 1840 addresses that issue,” Arambula told KTLA in an emailed statement.
Republican California lawmakers have pushed back on the bill’s progression.
“This is outrageous. Democrat politicians care more about handouts for illegal immigrants rather than improving the quality of life for legal California citizens. I will strongly oppose this measure when it comes to the Assembly Floor this week,” Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Corona) said in a statement.
GOP Assemblymember Joe Patterson, who represents a largely suburban district north of Sacramento, during a committee meeting this summer said that he “just can’t get behind using our limited dollars for people who are in this country undocumented,” Politico reported.
Democrats who support the bill have said that those applying for a loan must have a taxpayer identification or social security number, emphasizing that the loans won’t be given to just anybody.
The bill would need to be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom before it officially becomes law.
The current legislative session ends on Aug. 31 and Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign any bills passed by the Legislature.
