According to multiple reports, California lawmakers in the State Senate approved a bill allowing undocumented immigrants access to first-time homebuyers loans.
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On Tuesday (August 27), the California Senate passed the Democrat-backed measure on a 23-11 party-line vote. The proposed legislation, formally known as AB 1840, has now been sent back to the Assembly for its final vote of approval before making its way to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
As for what the bill, AB 1840, entails: it would expand the eligibility requirements for California’s first-time homebuyers loan program — the California Dream For All Shared Appreciate program. The measure would now allow undocumented immigrants who live in the state to qualify for the loan program along with documented immigrants and natural citizens.
Democrats supporting the bill said that those applying for a loan must have a taxpayer identification number or social security number; which means the loans can’t be frivolously handed out. The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation loan program first launched in 2023 and has been helping qualify first-time homebuyers with down payments. It was initially created to help low- and middle-income citizens purchase homes within the state.
At the moment, the current legislative session ends on August 31 and Gov. Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to sign any bills passed by the Legislature.
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Additionally, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), who introduced the bill, previously spoke with KTLA and said that the program doesn’t address eligibility based on immigration status. Arambula explained, “The program hasn’t been clear about eligibility for undocumented individuals, and AB 1840 addresses that issue.”
Leading up to the Senate passing the measure allowing undocumented immigrants access to first-time homebuyers loans, Republican lawmakers in California continue to push back against the progressing bill. In a statement, Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Corona) argued, “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.”
According to Politico, another GOP Assemblymember, Joe Patterson (who represents a large suburban district north of Sacramento) spoke out this Summer and said he “just can’t get behind using our limited dollars for people who are in this country undocumented.”
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