Newsom Allocates $50 Million to Support Migrants and Strengthen California’s Legal Defense Efforts

February 8, 2025 TruthUSA

The governor emphasized that the designated funding will not be utilized to safeguard immigrants who have been convicted of serious or violent felonies.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills on Friday that earmark a total of $50 million aimed at protecting immigrants and defending the state against potential legal actions from the Trump administration.

One of the bills assigns $25 million to nonprofit organizations providing legal immigration services to individuals “at risk of detention, deportation, eviction, wage theft, intimate partner violence, and other actions that jeopardize their safety” as a result of federal measures.

In his signing statement, Newsom articulated that this legislation will contribute to safeguarding the civil rights of California’s “most vulnerable residents,” including individuals with disabilities, the homeless, victims of human trafficking and wage theft, along with immigrants.

The governor made it clear that the allocated funding would not be utilized to protect immigrants charged with serious or violent felonies. Newsom also urged state lawmakers to enact further legislation if additional clarification on this matter is needed.

The second bill allocates $25 million to the state Department of Justice to counter federal policies “that adversely impact the state, its taxpayers, and residents” through legal action.

The bills were approved by state lawmakers on February 3. California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-District 29) expressed concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s executive actions affecting various federal agencies, along with the administration’s recent funding freeze, which he claimed has impacted essential resources for the community.

“Currently, Californians face threats from a reckless administration in Washington that disregards the Constitution and believes there are no limits to its authority,” Rivas stated during the assembly on February 3. “We must ensure our residents obtain the federal services and benefits they have earned and deserve.”

California has aligned with a coalition of attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia in submitting an emergency motion on February 7, requesting a federal judge to enforce a restraining order against the Trump administration’s freeze on federal financial assistance.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo on January 27 directing federal agencies to halt the distribution of grants, loans, and other financial assistance while the programs were being evaluated for alignment with the president’s policy priorities.

Additionally, California has taken steps to protect immigrants in light of the Trump administration’s recent efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Since taking office on January 20, Trump has instructed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct enforcement operations in various significant U.S. cities, culminating in the arrest of 956 individuals within one day on January 27.

Newsom’s Meeting With Trump

Newsom signed the two bills just a day after returning from Washington, where he met with Trump and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to discuss securing federal disaster aid.

His office described the conversation with the president as “very productive,” highlighting Newsom’s urgent need for disaster aid for individuals impacted by the wildfires in parts of California last month.

“We are collaborating across party lines, as we always have, to guarantee that survivors receive the resources and support they require,” Newsom stated in a statement on February 5. “Thank you, President Trump, for visiting our communities to witness this firsthand and for meeting with me today to continue our collective efforts to support those affected.”

The governor expressed gratitude for the early collaboration from the Trump Administration, specifically acknowledging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for the agency’s prompt actions, including the deployment of 1,000 personnel to assist with debris removal.

Last month, Newsom signed a $2.5 billion package for fire relief into law to support the state’s disaster response, covering evacuations, shelters for survivors, and removal of hazardous waste. His administration anticipates reimbursement from the federal government.

Travis Gillmore and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Newsom’s Meeting With Trump

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