The California GOP opposes a bill granting unemployment benefits to undocumented individuals.

Democrats in California are pushing for a new bill to give benefits to illegal immigrants, while Republicans are trying to prevent its passage.

""California Democrats are considering expanding unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants, which is disrespectful, given the state's already strained unemployment insurance fund with a $20 billion deficit under the Newsom administration," Senate Majority Leader Brian Jones stated in a Planet Chronicle Digital interview."

Gov. Gavin Newsom received a letter from Jones stating that the Employment Development Department (EDD) is still struggling to manage the high demand for benefits resulting from the COVID-19 shutdowns.

The bill SB 227, introduced by Senator María Elena Durazo, proposes that the EDD must create a comprehensive plan to establish a permanent Excluded Workers Program, which would offer cash benefits similar to unemployment insurance to jobless workers who are unable to receive benefits due to their immigration status.

Jones stated that the EDD is still recovering from COVID-19 and is also grappling with the failure to prevent billions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims.

Jones argued that the EDD should not be given new tasks and expenses until it proves it has efficient systems and processes to guarantee prompt benefits and prevent fraud.

Jones added that the bill would add more demands and expenses to the EDD, take away resources from necessary reforms, and worsen the state's violation of federal immigration laws.

"Jones warned that a Harris-Waltz Administration could take the radical proposal nationwide, sending a dangerous message that California's free money policy is a model for the rest of the nation."

Assemblyman James Gallagher of California concurred with Jones and stated that small businesses are being negatively impacted by the inefficient handling of funds.

"Gallagher stated that Newsom's plan to increase taxes on small businesses to repay the debt he incurred due to his mismanagement of the unemployment system during COVID is a poor decision. He added that Democrats' proposal to expand benefits to illegal immigrants will only lead to more fraud and waste of money."

"If Democrats prioritized reducing our nation's highest unemployment rate as much as they did distributing new benefits to undocumented immigrants, wouldn't that be ideal?"

The Governor's office stated that the measure will be evaluated based on its merits and the deadline for signing or vetoing legislation on the Governor's desk is September 30.

The senate has introduced a second bill to give advantages to undocumented individuals.

The "California Dream for All" loan program, which would have provided up to $150,000 in first-time homeownership loans to illegal immigrants, was advanced by the California legislature last month. If signed into law, this bill would have given first-time homebuyers up to 20% of a home's value or up to $150,000 as down payment assistance.

The bill aims to prevent the exclusion of applicants from California Housing Finance Agency's (CalHFA) home purchase assistance programs due to their immigration status. However, since CalHFA programs have limited funding, it is crucial to evaluate the expansion of eligibility within the context of the annual state budget to ensure efficient resource management, as stated by Governor Newsom in the veto letter.

"For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill."

Planet Chronicle Digital's Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.