California lauds itself as pro-immigrant. Why did Newsom veto bills to help the undocumented?

Since taking office, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has positioned himself as a defender of immigrant rights, and — at times — upheld that promise.

Under his leadership, California has expanded its safety net for the state’s 2 million undocumented residents. They now have access to Medi-Cal, tax credits and received state stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, Newsom blocked new efforts to extend state programs to undocumented immigrants last month. He vetoed bills that proposed unemployment benefits, opening campus jobs to college students without legal work permits and allowing undocumented Californians to apply for first-time homebuyer assistance.

In his veto messages, Newsom cited budget constraints and potential legal hurdles. But advocates and experts said the hostile immigration rhetoric dominating the presidential election likely influenced his decision.

“The misguided political rhetoric coming from both parties definitely impacted the willingness of state leaders to push these bills forward, and ultimately the governor to sign those,” said Masih Fouladi , executive director of California Immigrant Policy Center.

Blocking these bills was “smart politics,” added Mike Madrid , a Republican political consultant and expert on Latino voting trends. Madrid pointed to Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats being perceived as weak on border security, especially amid growing voter concerns.

Polls over the last year show Americans are concerned about the border and favor strong restrictions. Amid this polling and attacks from former President Donald Trump, Harris has said she would enact more stringent measures to restrict border access if elected.

“This would expose all of the weaknesses that she’s trying to double down and cement against,” Madrid said. “I don’t think he wants to undermine where the party’s nominee is going when the stakes are so high.”

The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

National issues affect state ones

One of Newsom’s vetoes included AB 1840 , introduced by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno. The bill would have made some undocumented immigrants eligible for the California Dream for All program , which offers up to $150,000 in state-backed home loans.

Arambula sought to frame the bill as one of fairness, saying it merely clarified that undocumented immigrants could apply for the home loan program.

However the bill garnered national controversy from conservatives. Republicans discussed their concerns on Fox News and even Elon Musk chimed in on X to blast California’s Medi-Cal expansion for undocumented residents.

Newsom vetoed the bill just days before the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump. He cited budget constraints and the limited funds available for the program, which ran out earlier this year.

While Arambula acknowledged the financial constraints, he cited a preference that Newsom delay the decision until after the debate. Arambula said the veto took the issue off the table ahead of the debate but also hurt its chances,

“Larger national politics can play a role in these bills that garner national attention, and do believe that ultimately, next year, the timing may be more favorable for us,” Arambula said.

Mixed record

For some advocates, Newsom’s vetoes highlight his mixed record on immigrant rights.

“For us, it’s like a 50-50 where he signs some and vetoes others,” said Angelica Salas , executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. “It’s not like he’s a straight veto on everything, which used to happen in California.”

Salas remains a Newsom supporter, saying he has signed more pro-immigrant legislation than any other governor. She believes the next step is for Newsom to see these policies not only as equity measures but as financially sound decisions.

Undocumented workers contribute billions of dollars annually in state and tax revenues, according to research from the Community and Labor Center at UC Merced.

“How does the state of California, whether it’s Gavin Newsom or any other governor, stop seeing the investments in immigrants as charitable to the people and more as investments to California,” Salas said.