In a party-line vote, the California State Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would enable undocumented immigrants to qualify for first-time homebuyer loans. The measure, known as AB 1840, expands the eligibility requirement for the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation program, allowing undocumented immigrants residing in the state to benefit from the loan program.

The California Dream For All Shared Appreciation program, introduced in 2023, was initially designed to assist low- and middle-income individuals in purchasing homes by providing down payment assistance. However, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), the bill's sponsor, pointed out that the program did not explicitly address eligibility based on immigration status.

"This bill aims to address the lack of clarity regarding eligibility for undocumented individuals in the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation program," said Arambula in an emailed statement to KTLA.

The passage of the bill in the State Senate was met with opposition from Republican lawmakers who argued that it prioritized assistance for undocumented immigrants over improving the lives of legal California citizens. Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Corona) voiced his strong opposition, stating, "This is outrageous. Democrat politicians care more about handouts for illegal immigrants rather than improving the quality of life for legal California citizens."

Even during a committee meeting earlier this summer, GOP Assemblymember Joe Patterson, representing a suburban district north of Sacramento, expressed his reservations about using limited funds for undocumented individuals. He stated, "I just can't get behind using our limited dollars for people who are in this country undocumented," as reported by Politico.

In response to criticism, Democrat proponents of the bill emphasized that applicants for the loan program are still required to have a taxpayer identification or social security number, ensuring that loans are not granted without proper vetting.

The bill will now be sent back to the Assembly for a final vote of approval before it reaches the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom has until September 30 to sign any bills passed by the Legislature, with the current legislative session ending on August 31. If signed into law, the bill would represent a significant step forward in providing housing opportunities to undocumented immigrants residing in California.