Federal and state governments spend hundreds of billions per year on illegal immigrants. The funding is not so much about keeping border crossers out of the country but dedicating taxpayer resources to cover the cost of their health care, education, and welfare benefits. What is the latest scheme from a couple of state legislatures? Help undocumented immigrants purchase a residential property at a time when home prices are at record highs.
California's Illegal Immigrants Buying Homes
California lawmakers aim to be the nation's first state to extend illegal immigrants up to $150,000 in government-supported home loans. The program is called the "California Dream for All," a taxpayer-funded initiative that provides 20% in down payment assistance. Eligibility is quite simple: applicants must be first-time homebuyers, at least one must be a first-generation homebuyer, and income levels must be below certain levels.
Democratic Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, who authored AB 1840, told Politico that the Golden State wants to be inclusive even if it insults citizens desperate to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. "We simply wanted to be as inclusive as possible within our policies so that all who are paying taxes here in our state were able to qualify," Arambula said in an interview with the news publication. "Without the intentional law that we are introducing, we felt that there were complexities and questions that many in the immigrant community would have."
The legislation passed by 12 votes (23 to 11) on Aug. 27, thanks to a Democratic supermajority. Six Democrats abstained from voting. It is unclear if Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will sign the legislation, with a spokesperson telling the press that he does not comment on pending legislation without evaluating the public policy on its merits. Meanwhile, funding was not allocated to the program because of the sizable budget deficit for the fiscal year. The shortfall is projected to reach as high as $70 billion in the coming years while the state grapples with a $1.6 trillion debt.
The legislative pursuit captured the attention of billionaire Elon Musk, who also referenced the free medical care the state is offering illegals. "Seems like half of Earth should move to California, given all the incentives to do so," he said on the social media platform X.
State Republicans have questioned the need for the latest housing campaign, alluding to California's tens of billions of dollars of red ink, which is already forcing officials to consider budget cuts. Perhaps lawmakers are betting that illegal immigrants will not utilize the program, considering that the median home price is at an all-time high of $900,000, according to the California Association of Realtors.
California will not be the only state to embrace such a public housing policy.
Oregon Does California
Records given to the Daily Caller suggest that Oregon is handing out tens of thousands of dollars to illegal immigrants and non-US citizens to buy homes. The program, managed by the Hacienda Community Development Corp. through its Camino a Casa initiative, involves providing $30,000 for down payment assistance. It reportedly excludes American citizens from eligibility.
Hacienda CDC is funded partially by the Economic Equity Investment Program (EEIP), a project created by the state legislature in 2022 through the Economic Equity Investment Act. Over the last two years, the legislation has distributed approximately $20 million to fund organizations such as Hacienda CDC that offer "culturally responsive services to support economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building, and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses, and communities.”
Like California, the Oregon real estate market faces a housing affordability crisis. Median home prices are above $500,000 amid a housing shortage. The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis data highlights that just 19% of people living in the Portland metro area can afford a home with a 5% down payment.
Welfare Wall
While former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris – yes, you read that right! – support (or claim to support) constructing a wall on the US-Mexico border, the plethora of welfare programs dedicated to illegal immigrants will continue to appeal to people across Latin America.
As Liberty Nation News has reported over the years, states and cities nationwide are subsidizing illegal immigration through their costly expenditures, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Earlier this year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) proposed fast-tracking migrants for government jobs, essentially inventing new state positions. This is in addition to state-funded Medicaid coverage and pre-paid debit cards. Denver has given migrants "housing assistance options." Illegal immigrants can access free health care coverage in the nation's capital. Virginia recently expanded state-funded health insurance to illegal immigrant minors. Chicago is paying for illegal immigrants' legal costs.
The down payment assistance efforts in California and Oregon might be unrealistic, but they are another example of how lawmakers are subsidizing illegal immigration. Why would someone bother coming to the US through the proper channels when they will be rewarded for jumping ahead of the line and breaking the law? Additionally, these endeavors are comparable to the economic concept of the Cobra Effect, an unintended consequence of a public policy attempting to solve a problem but instead worsening the matter altogether. Would a welfare wall be more effective than a physical barrier?
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