California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the release of $35 million in taxpayer funds to support illegal aliens with “free” handouts as President Donald Trump advances his administration’s nationwide deportation effort.
According to a press release from Newsom’s office, the funds will go toward “philanthropic partners” to provide illegals with “free” food assistance and other resources.
The funds were previously set aside by the Democrat-controlled legislature.
The funding comes in addition to the tax dollars California has already allocated to provide legal services for foreign individuals facing deportation.
Newsom Targets Trump Enforcement Push
Newsom framed the move as a direct response to President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
“While the federal government targets hardworking families, California stands with them – uniting partners and funding local communities to help support their neighbors,” Newsom said.
He continued:
“The urgent need grows as the Trump Administration accelerates mass detention, tramples due process, and funds authoritarian enforcement with over $170 billion.
“As the Trump Administration chooses cruelty and chaos, California chooses community.”
A spokesperson for Newsom told CalMatters that the governor has been speaking with immigrant families and community leaders about the federal crackdown, saying:
“People are afraid to leave their homes, afraid to go to school or work, and unable to afford groceries.”
Funding Amid Budget Shortfall
The $35 million allocation comes despite California facing significant fiscal pressure.
Newsom’s office anticipates a $2.9 billion deficit in the coming budget year, according to CalMatters.
The state also recently limited health care coverage for illegal immigrants to address a larger deficit last year.
Kim Johnson, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, defended the spending.
“When federal actions create fear and instability, our responsibility is to show up for families,” Johnson said.
“This investment strengthens local partners who are helping people access legal services and meet basic needs during an incredibly difficult moment.”
Democrat state Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-CA), chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, argued that the funding demonstrates solidarity with illegal immigrant communities.
Gonzalez argued that Democrats will “continue to stand in solidarity with our immigrant families.”
However, Trump’s immigration agenda targets illegal aliens, not legal immigrants.
She added:
“The federal government is waging a war on our communities – and we won’t stand for it.
“We are putting money behind an effort to stop the fear, stop the separation of our families, and stop violating our basic rights.”
Republicans Push Back
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-CA) sharply criticized the move, calling it “absurd.”
“If you were audited by the IRS and found to owe money and back taxes, as a citizen, you couldn’t say, ‘Well, I want a free lawyer to fight the federal government,'” DeMaio said.
Trump Delivers on Campaign Promise
President Trump campaigned on a sweeping immigration crackdown and has followed through in his second term with expanded deportations.
In June, Trump signed a budget bill that included $170 billion for immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation, a measure aimed at removing up to one million illegal aliens per year over four years.
California officials noted that state funds designated for immigration legal services cannot be used to help individuals with serious or violent felony convictions fight deportation, according to CalMatters.
State law also does not block corrections staff from transferring illegal immigrants convicted of serious or violent felonies into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Still, Democrat Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-CA) signaled continued resistance to the administration’s policies.
“California will never be silent in the face of Trump’s cruel and unlawful immigration raids. We will meet fear and intimidation with courage and action,” Rivas said.
The move underscores the growing divide between President Trump’s enforcement-first immigration policy and Democrat-led states pledging taxpayer resources to shield illegal immigrants from federal action.
READ MORE – Gavin Newsom Says He Can Relate to Black People Because He ‘Can’t Read’
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