California’s benefits for undocumented immigrants (opens the source in a new tab)
- Its authors argue state-funded programs extend benefits regardless of immigration status, putting the cost at more than $11 billion last fiscal year.
- About 1.7 million people are enrolled in state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal for undocumented immigrants, at a cost near $10 billion a year.
- They say a mixed-status family can qualify for public services such as CAPI cash aid, health cover and tax credits.
- $11B+
- last fiscal year, per the authors
- 1.7M
- Medi-Cal enrollees
- ~$10B
- yearly Medi-Cal cost
Why it matters California’s budget is under strain, and who qualifies for state-funded benefits is a live political fight. This is an opinion piece, so the figures are the authors’ framing.