California may have reached its limit in providing benefits for immigrants living here illegally, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent actions. He vetoed three bills that were passed by the liberal Legislature, signaling a potential shift in the state’s approach to this issue.
However, it proved to be a strategic move for him in the long term and had immediate benefits for Kamala Harris, his Democratic ally in California.
One of Donald Trump’s campaign pieces last week had the headline, “Kamala Rolls Out Red Carpet for Illegals.”
Harris has been attempting to strike a delicate balance, positioning herself as a moderate candidate who appeals to middle America while still satisfying her progressive base.
Harris has been making promises to strengthen border security and limit entry, despite Trump’s baseless claim that she is responsible for the surge in illegal immigration. It is important to note that a vice president does not hold direct responsibility for such matters.
According to Bob Salladay, Newsom’s chief communications advisor, the governor did not consider the political consequences when he vetoed the bills.
But let’s face it, every governor with national ambitions is constantly aware of the political impact of their actions.
The Democratic Legislature comfortably passed all three bills with a supermajority.
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) proposed a controversial bill, Assembly Bill 1840, which aimed to provide an opportunity for undocumented immigrants to apply for interest-free home loans. The bill would have allowed these individuals, along with other qualified applicants, to potentially receive up to $150,000 for their first home purchase.
Republican Assemblywoman Kate A. Sanchez of Trabuco Canyon argued that the bill would incentivize more illegal immigration into the state, rather than legal immigration. She stated that it is a straightforward concept – if you offer free benefits, more people will be attracted to come.
Senate Bill 227, authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), aimed to provide unemployment benefits to undocumented workers.
The governor once again rejected the measure, emphasizing his long-standing stance that fiscal matters should be addressed during the negotiation of the state budget in June.
The Legislature has a habit of attempting to pass additional spending even after the annual budget has already been approved, even if the state is running a deficit.
Assemblyman David Alvarez (D-San Diego) introduced AB 2586, a bill that aimed to mandate the hiring of undocumented students for campus jobs in the University of California, California State University, and community colleges. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed, marking it as the third bill to face such a fate.
Governor Newsom explained his decision to reject the measure, stating that it would have potentially put state employees in a position of violating federal laws regarding the hiring of undocumented students. He believes that this is a matter that should be addressed by the courts. Shortly after the measure was rejected, a proponent of the bill filed a lawsuit in an effort to seek a court ruling on the matter.
I reached out to political consultant Mike Madrid to get his perspective on whether Latino voters would be affected by the governor’s decision to veto bills that aimed to support undocumented immigrants. In his opinion, it is unlikely to be a major concern for Latino voters.
Madrid responded, expressing his belief that there will be growing concerns and opposition to these bills.
Latinos have consistently expressed their desire for an economic agenda and opportunities for upward mobility. Regrettably, neither political party has adequately addressed these concerns.
Instead, the focus has been on border issues, such as walls and family separation. However, it is important to note that these matters primarily affect non-citizens who do not possess the right to vote.
Madrid, a Republican who staunchly opposes former President Trump, firmly believes that he poses an unparalleled threat to both the Constitution and our nation.
He recently published a book titled “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy.”
According to Madrid, if Gavin had signed those bills, it would have been a direct insult to Harris, who has been working hard to steer the party away from traditional ideologies.
“She is steering the national party in a completely different direction from where California has been heading, as Democrats have been struggling to maintain support from Latino voters.”
According to the consultant, the Latino voter of today is fundamentally different from the Latino voter of the 1990s and 2000s. This is because they are no longer recent migrants.
The consultant pointed out that Proposition 187, which was a controversial ballot initiative that sought to deny public services to undocumented immigrants, took place 30 years ago. Younger Latino voters, who make up a significant portion of the Latino electorate, were not even born during that time.
The measure aimed to deprive undocumented immigrants of public services, including schooling. It was passed by a significant majority, but a federal court later deemed it unconstitutional. Despite this setback, the aggressive anti-illegal immigration rhetoric served as a catalyst for robust Latino political engagement in California.
According to Madrid, Latino citizens are currently more concerned about economic issues and affordability. He believes that many Democrats in Sacramento are still stuck in the mindset of the 1990s and need to confront the significant economic challenges faced by multi-generation Latinos who are living in the country legally.
California is actively providing assistance to undocumented immigrants in various ways. Firstly, they have access to Medi-Cal healthcare, which is specifically designed for individuals with low incomes.
Additionally, they can also receive food assistance and financial aid for college. These measures aim to support and provide necessary resources to undocumented immigrants in California.
Madrid is correct in his assertion that Sacramento Democrats should be taking more action to support working-class Latino citizens, as well as middle-class individuals from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
This article was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
