California Assemblyman Claims Legislature Approved $2 Million in Cash Payments to Undocumented Immigrants

Sacramento, California – California State Assemblyman David Tangipa, a Republican representing the 8th district, recently asserted via social media that the California Legislature had "just approved $2 MILLION in cash payments to ILLEGAL MIGRANTS!" The tweet, posted by Tangipa, expressed strong opposition to the alleged allocation, stating, "Not to fire victims! Not to struggling California families!"

Tangipa's statement on X further criticized the distribution mechanism, claiming, "giving them to NGOs that actively BLOCK citizens from qualifying is outrageous." He concluded by urging Californians to "WAKE UP—your tax dollars are going to illegal migrants, while we (law abiding Californians) are struggling!"

While California has various programs providing services and, in some cases, financial assistance to undocumented immigrants, a specific legislative approval of $2 million in direct cash payments to "illegal migrants" as recently passed is not widely reported in official state budget documents or major news outlets. The state's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), for instance, provides state-funded aid to elderly, blind, or disabled non-citizens ineligible for federal benefits, with a current budget significantly exceeding the $2 million figure.

California has previously implemented broader financial relief measures, such as a $75 million COVID-19 disaster relief fund in 2020, which provided $500 cash payments to undocumented adults through a network of non-profit organizations. More recently, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill 1840, expanding eligibility for the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loans program, a homeownership assistance initiative, to include undocumented immigrants, though this is a loan program, not direct cash aid.

The state is currently navigating a significant budget deficit, leading to discussions and some proposed cuts or delays in programs benefiting immigrants, including adjustments to Medi-Cal (the state's Medicaid program) for undocumented residents and delays in expanding the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, have also initiated investigations into California's use of state funds for certain immigrant aid programs.

Assemblyman Tangipa, elected in November 2024, is known for his conservative stance and has been an outspoken critic of the Democratic supermajority's spending policies. His public statements often highlight concerns about the allocation of taxpayer funds and the state's approach to immigration services. The claim regarding NGOs "actively blocking citizens" from qualifying for aid lacks specific corroborating evidence in public reports.