Despite Massive Debt, California Moves To Pay Migrants $300 A Week To Not Work

Following California’s declaration that the state ran a deficit of billions of dollars in 2022, a bill that provides unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants is getting reviewed in anticipation of the massive influx of migrants coming in with Title 42’s expiration. 

The bill, Senate Bill 227, or the Safety Net for All Workers Act, provides laid-off illegal immigrants with $300 every week for up to 20 weeks. The bill was adopted unanimously in March by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.

According to the Safety Net for All Coalition, payroll taxes from illegal immigrants contribute $485 million to the state Unemployment Insurance system, more than the estimated $356 million it would cost to execute the legislation. 

"Every day, undocumented immigrants contribute to California’s economic prosperity in agriculture, construction, clothing, and other industries," says Senator Maria Elena Durazo, the bill's sponsor. "Yet immigrants continue to be shut out from California’s economic success due to unjust exclusions from the safety net." 

"We cannot take people’s money, take people’s taxes, take people’s labor, and then deny them the very benefits and rights that they deserve and that they have earned," Supervisor Shamann Walton said at a protest that was held before the board meeting. 

A similar bill was vetoed last year by Gov. Newsom (D-CA), claiming that “the bill needs further work to address operational issues and fiscal concerns.” 

Just last week, California announced that their state deficit has gone up to nearly $31.5 billion, a massive $9 billion more than the predicted $22.5 billion that was projected in January, per The Hill. California works with a $306.5 billion state budget, the largest of any state in the entire Union. 

The California Senate Appropriations Committee is set to review the legislation on Thursday and will either forward a bill to the floor or bench the bill.