California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on April 15 (“tax day” for those who are paying taxes) that California will be sending $500 checks to illegal immigrants.
In March, with President Trump’s support, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package in response to the devastating effect on the economy casued by government reaction to the coronavirus pandemic. The maximum amount people can receive is $1,200, or if married filing jointly, $2,400 per couple. However, “undocumented immigrants,” an inaccurate euphemism for aliens who are in this country illegally, are not eligible to receive these stimulus payments.
The payments will be sent to working legal immigrants — such as those in the United States on non-immigrant work visas and who have Social Security numbers. But those who are in the country illegally are not eligible.
However, this is not good enough California’s ultra-left governor. His state will be the first jurisdiction in the nation to offer a rescue package to people who aren’t in the country legally. Individual illegal alien adults can get a $500 check, with a maximum of $1,000 per household. Newsom estimated that about 150,000 people will get a check — a small fraction of the estimated two million people who are in the state illegally.
Taxpayers will pay $75 million for the giveaway, while a group of charities has committed to raise another $50 million — for a total of $125 million. Of course, private charities are free to distribute funds as they see fit, since the money they receive is raised voluntarily, not though compulsory taxation.
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“Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis,” the governor said. “We are all in this together.”
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” Newsom also said.
Newsom did not say how the state will determine if the payments are going to illegal aliens. He said the money will be distributed by regional nonprofits who have “expertise” in reaching these illegals.
Newsom did say that the money will not be distributed based on income. “Their personal information will not be required to get [the] support,” he said.
A report from Fox News noted that California has been “the most aggressive state in the nation when it came to giving benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally.” Last year, for example, California became the first state to give taxpayer-funded health benefits to low-income adults 25 years of age and younger living in the country illegally. And this year, Newsom had proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 and older.
California state Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield said Newsom should spend the money instead on food banks, equipment for students to continue their education online, and local governments struggling with revenue losses.
“Instead of meeting these urgent needs, Governor Newsom has chosen to irresponsibly pursue a left-wing path and unilaterally secured $125 million for undocumented immigrants,” said Grove.
Photo: AP Images
Warren Mass has served The New American since its launch in 1985 in several capacities, including marketing, editing, and writing. Since retiring from the staff several years ago, he has been a regular contributor to the magazine. Warren writes from Texas and can be reached at [email protected].
