California legislators pass $50M funding for Trump-related lawsuits and immigrant assistance
The Republican minority in the state contended that it is unwise to confront Trump while California is working to obtain federal assistance for wildfire relief.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — On Monday, California lawmakers approved a series of bills aimed at "Trump-proofing" the state, which includes allocating $50 million in state funds to challenge President Donald Trump’s policies in court and provide legal assistance for immigrants.
These proposals stem from a special session called by Governor Gavin Newsom last year shortly after Trump’s election and were passed with relative ease along party lines. They are now set to go to the governor for his signature.
While California Democrats have not embraced the “resistance” approach as vigorously as they did during Trump’s initial term, their remarks on Monday indicated a willingness to adopt a more confrontational stance only weeks into the president’s second term.
“Californians are being threatened by an out-of-control administration in Washington that doesn’t care about the Constitution, that thinks there are no limits to its power,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas just before the vote.
Rivas, a Democrat from the Central Coast, challenged the commonly held view among Trump and Republican supporters that undocumented immigrants pose a threat to the country.
“Here in California, there are 1.8 million undocumented people,” Rivas stated. “People who pay about $8.5 billion in state and local taxes every single year. They raise families, and they contribute to our communities. These law-abiding immigrants, they are Californians — they are not criminals.”
The Republican minority in the chamber argued that opposing Trump is ill-advised, especially as California seeks federal aid to address the severe wildfires that occurred in the Los Angeles area after the special session was called.
"You are putting us on a collision course with the national administration," expressed Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a first-term Republican from San Diego, during the debate. "You are doubling down on policies that hurt Californians."
Trump deputy press secretary Harrison Fields responded by stating that "aiding and abetting" undocumented immigrants is illegal and disregards the voter mandate for change that brought Trump to power.
"The California Legislature and its incompetent governor need to stop dreaming and wake up to the reality of the invasion facing our nation and their state due to illegal immigration," Fields said in a statement.
Governor Newsom, who recently welcomed the president during a visit to survey wildfire damage in Southern California, has adopted a more conciliatory tone recently. He has expressed appreciation for Trump's past support of the state and his intention to collaborate on rebuilding efforts.
However, during the session on Monday, Assembly Democrats, including those from competitive districts, voiced strong support for the litigation bill. They argued that it’s crucial to safeguard federal funding for their constituents, especially after the administration’s attempt to freeze aid. California and other Democratic-leaning states legally contested that move, and a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the funding pause until further notice, indicating it was likely unconstitutional.
“They did not vote to make life less affordable or for their hard-earned tax dollars to be stolen by the federal government,” remarked Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, a Democrat from northern Los Angeles County.
Several Democrats who supported funding for immigrant legal aid shared personal anecdotes about their families’ journeys to California. They expressed concern over Trump’s initiatives, including efforts to end birthright citizenship, which a Seattle judge recently blocked.
Republicans criticized them for fear-mongering and raised concerns that the funds might assist undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.
Hamid Yazdan Panah from Immigrant Defense Advocates described the vote to approve legal aid as “a critical first step,” referencing recent Border Patrol operations in California’s Central Valley during the final days of the Biden administration. The Sacramento-based organization is part of a coalition advocating for immigrant legal services.
“The recent raids in Kern County served as a stark reminder that California must be prepared for enforcement actions that sweep up U.S. citizens, legal residents, ag workers, and tear families apart,” he emphasized.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
These proposals stem from a special session called by Governor Gavin Newsom last year shortly after Trump’s election and were passed with relative ease along party lines. They are now set to go to the governor for his signature.
While California Democrats have not embraced the “resistance” approach as vigorously as they did during Trump’s initial term, their remarks on Monday indicated a willingness to adopt a more confrontational stance only weeks into the president’s second term.
“Californians are being threatened by an out-of-control administration in Washington that doesn’t care about the Constitution, that thinks there are no limits to its power,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas just before the vote.
Rivas, a Democrat from the Central Coast, challenged the commonly held view among Trump and Republican supporters that undocumented immigrants pose a threat to the country.
“Here in California, there are 1.8 million undocumented people,” Rivas stated. “People who pay about $8.5 billion in state and local taxes every single year. They raise families, and they contribute to our communities. These law-abiding immigrants, they are Californians — they are not criminals.”
The Republican minority in the chamber argued that opposing Trump is ill-advised, especially as California seeks federal aid to address the severe wildfires that occurred in the Los Angeles area after the special session was called.
"You are putting us on a collision course with the national administration," expressed Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a first-term Republican from San Diego, during the debate. "You are doubling down on policies that hurt Californians."
Trump deputy press secretary Harrison Fields responded by stating that "aiding and abetting" undocumented immigrants is illegal and disregards the voter mandate for change that brought Trump to power.
"The California Legislature and its incompetent governor need to stop dreaming and wake up to the reality of the invasion facing our nation and their state due to illegal immigration," Fields said in a statement.
Governor Newsom, who recently welcomed the president during a visit to survey wildfire damage in Southern California, has adopted a more conciliatory tone recently. He has expressed appreciation for Trump's past support of the state and his intention to collaborate on rebuilding efforts.
However, during the session on Monday, Assembly Democrats, including those from competitive districts, voiced strong support for the litigation bill. They argued that it’s crucial to safeguard federal funding for their constituents, especially after the administration’s attempt to freeze aid. California and other Democratic-leaning states legally contested that move, and a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the funding pause until further notice, indicating it was likely unconstitutional.
“They did not vote to make life less affordable or for their hard-earned tax dollars to be stolen by the federal government,” remarked Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, a Democrat from northern Los Angeles County.
Several Democrats who supported funding for immigrant legal aid shared personal anecdotes about their families’ journeys to California. They expressed concern over Trump’s initiatives, including efforts to end birthright citizenship, which a Seattle judge recently blocked.
Republicans criticized them for fear-mongering and raised concerns that the funds might assist undocumented immigrants with criminal histories.
Hamid Yazdan Panah from Immigrant Defense Advocates described the vote to approve legal aid as “a critical first step,” referencing recent Border Patrol operations in California’s Central Valley during the final days of the Biden administration. The Sacramento-based organization is part of a coalition advocating for immigrant legal services.
“The recent raids in Kern County served as a stark reminder that California must be prepared for enforcement actions that sweep up U.S. citizens, legal residents, ag workers, and tear families apart,” he emphasized.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
