June 24, 2024
Los Angeles (June 24, 2024) – Gov. Gavin Newsom and the legislative leaders recently released the details of their agreement on the state’s budget package for fiscal year 2024-25.
The following is a statement from the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) in reaction to the budget agreement:
“While we are pleased that the state’s newly announced budget agreement largely rejects proposals to cut or discontinue funding for critical programs serving immigrant Californians, CIPC is disappointed that vital programs assisting immigrant communities will not be funded this year,” said CIPC Executive Director Masih Fouladi. “We will continue to advocate for state policies that bring us closer to a California for all.”
“We applaud the decision to continue funding for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for undocumented Medi-Cal recipients, upholding the state’s commitment to Health4All. We are also pleased that the budget agreement maintains the $10 million and $5.2 million allocations to the Temporary Protected Status Immigration Services Program and California State University Immigration Legal Services Project respectively, ensuring that thousands of California families and individuals will continue to access the immigration legal services they need. And we agree with the wise decision to reject cuts to the Rapid Response Program that continues humanitarian efforts to welcome migrants seeking refuge and safety in our state.”
“However, we are deeply disappointed that this agreement fails to reinvest $17.8 million for the Children Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP), which has provided free legal representation and social services to hundreds of children and youth over the last two years. No child or young person should face deportation proceedings without the basic right to legal representation. We are also concerned that the CFAP (California Food Assistance Program) expansion was postponed from 2025 to 2027. This delay means that low-income older adult immigrants who are struggling to put food on the table will have to wait two more years for urgently needed food assistance.
“While we recognize the difficult decisions state leaders must make to address the significant budget deficit this year, CIPC believes that budgets should never be balanced on the backs of those who have been historically disadvantaged by government policies and institutions. We will continue to advocate for policies that address the most critical needs of California’s immigrant communities, including equitable access to health care for those who are excluded from the Covered California insurance marketplace, tangible steps toward a wage replacement program for workers excluded from unemployment benefits and more. Our values as a California for all should not depend on whether the state is financially strong or lean. We will not stop fighting for our most vulnerable communities.”