Democrats Expand “All Americans” Definition to Include Illegal Migrants

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Democrats Expand “All Americans” Definition to Include Illegal Migrants

In California, Democrats have passed a bill allowing illegal migrants to access homebuyer loans, expanding the definition of “all Americans” to include illegal immigrants.

Democrats in California are facing backlash after expanding the definition of “all Americans” to include illegal migrants in a new home loan program. The move comes as part of a broader effort by Democrats to integrate undocumented individuals into the fabric of American society, raising concerns among critics about the impact on legal residents and citizens.

During an appearance on Bill Maher’s show on August 31, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) openly supported the inclusion of illegal migrants in the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loans program. This program, created by California Democrats, allows recipients to receive loans worth up to $150,000, covering 20% of the purchase price of a home. The loans are especially valuable because they do not require repayment until the home is sold.

“Making the American Dream of home ownership available to all people is something we have to do for people here now,” Pelosi stated during the interview. Her endorsement came just as the California legislature passed AB 1840, which extends the program to illegal migrants amidst record housing prices fueled in part by the state’s surge in illegal migration.

In a conversation with Maher, Pelosi emphasized the bill’s focus on undocumented individuals. When Maher asked, “This [bill] is for the undocumented?” Pelosi responded, “What I would like to do is move them to ‘documented’ status,” hinting at future efforts to regularize the status of illegal migrants.

The bill has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that it unfairly prioritizes illegal migrants over legal residents and citizens who are also struggling with California’s skyrocketing housing costs. California GOP Assemblyman Bill Essayli expressed his frustration during a state assembly debate, highlighting the unfairness of the policy. “Downpayments are one of the biggest hurdles to being able to afford a house, so her slot could be given to someone who just entered our country unlawfully. That is offensive, and I hope every single American in California is watching,” Essayli said, pointing out that the program’s expansion undermines the value of citizenship and legal residence.

Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez echoed these sentiments, questioning the priorities of the state government. “There are a million Californians who live in deep poverty and nearly 200,000 who live on the streets without a home, and here we are talking about giving out free home loans to illegal immigrants,” Sanchez remarked during the legislative session. “Do we have no shame?”

The issue has also drawn national attention. Former President Barack Obama, speaking at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, supported the broader inclusion of undocumented individuals in American society, asserting that “we are all better off” when everyone, including illegal migrants, has a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. Similarly, former First Lady Michelle Obama emphasized that “no one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American — no one,” in her own address to the convention.

Meanwhile, concerns over the economic impact of illegal migration continue to grow. A recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlighted the strain on housing markets in cities like New York, where a surge in migrant arrivals has exacerbated homelessness and driven up rental prices. The report noted that New York City’s median rents hit a record high of $3,795 in mid-2023, while the vacancy rate plummeted to 1.4 percent, the lowest it had been in decades. This housing crisis has been compounded by the arrival of over 175,000 asylum seekers and migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border.

As the debate over the California bill and the broader issues of illegal migration and housing costs continues, Democrats have pushed the bill through the state Assembly and Senate, sending it to the governor for his signature. “We said it was a dream for all, and that’s what we meant,” said the bill’s author, Democratic Rep. Joaquin Arambula, in defense of the legislation.

The ongoing debate reflects the deep divisions in the country over immigration policy and the meaning of American citizenship, with populist Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, continuing to champion the distinction between citizens and non-citizens in their push to “Make America Great Again.”

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