California Governor Vetoes bill to help undocumented immigrants buy homes

Official State of California Photo

California Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill yesterday that would have made some undocumented immigrants eligible for state-supported home loans.  Passed by the California Legislature, the bill had sparked criticism from Republicans in this election year.  Former President Donald Trump responded to the bill by saying that he would ban undocumented immigrants from receiving home mortgages if re-elected President. 

Governor Newsom cited funding concerns in his veto message:

“To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1840 without my signature.

This bill seeks to prohibit the disqualification of applicants from one of California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) home purchase assistance programs based solely on their immigration status.

Given the finite funding available . . .  , expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively.
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I am unable to sign this bill.”

Although the home mortgage bill received some attention, the really big immigration-related bill in this session of the California Legislature remains before Governor Gavin Newsom.  The Opportunity for All Act, if signed into law, would allow public universities and colleges to employ students, regardless of their immigration status. 

Assembly Bill 2568 calls for University of California, California State University and California community college systems to provide equal access to on-campus employment opportunities for undocumented students. The bill passed the Legislature in a 41-7 Assembly vote in August.  Will Newsom sign the bill into law?  Stay tuned.

KJ