May 14, 2026

Governor Newsom Fails to Help Immigrant Workers as Trump Ramps Up ICE Raids CA

Despite higher than projected revenue, Governor Newsom has failed to invest in immigrant communities impacted by federal enforcement actions. Specifically, Governor Newsom did not include a critical allocation the community has been calling for to provide income replacement to workers impacted by the Trump administration’s illegal immigration enforcement activities in California.

Families are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of detentions, deportations, and related disruptions, often without access to unemployment insurance or other safety-net programs because of immigration status or eligibility requirements that fail to account for these circumstances. The California Network for Immigrant and Worker Justice and Assemblymember Robert Garcia are championing a budget proposal—also included in the California Latino Legislative Caucus’s budget priorities—that would create the Immigration Enforcement Emergency Fund. This one-time fund will provide income replacement to workers who lost pay due to federal enforcement actions or to their families if someone is detained or deported.

“My son was taken during one of the cruel immigration raids, and I was notified about this happening over the phone,” said Alba, a farm worker from Santa Maria. “After my son’s disappearance, my life and his children’s lives were turned upside down. Not only did they take a piece of my heart, but they also took a pillar of our home. We have been impacted financially, and it has been tough to pay rent and bills for the rest of my family and me.”

For decades, undocumented workers in California have contributed to the state’s unemployment insurance system despite being ineligible to receive its benefits. This allocation represents a modest and just reinvestment of funds that these hardworking Californians have already paid into the system. It is both fiscally responsible and morally sound to ensure that workers who contribute to our state’s prosperity are not left without support in times of crisis.

“California’s immigrant workers are the backbone of our economy and communities, yet families are being pushed into financial crisis because of reckless federal immigration enforcement actions,” said coalition co-chairs Veronica and Alejo. “When a worker or loved one is detained or deported, entire households lose income overnight and are left without access to the safety-net programs their tax dollars help sustain. The Immigration Enforcement Emergency Fund is a necessary investment in dignity, stability, and economic justice for the workers and families who continue to contribute so much to California every single day.”

Immigrant workers and their allies expected more from the last budget revision in Governor Newsom’s career in California, especially as advocates across the state are reporting an increase in letters from the federal government demanding that immigrants pay exorbitant civil fines. The Immigration Enforcement Emergency Relief Fund represents a necessary and responsible step toward safeguarding the well-being of California’s immigrant communities, communities that continue to contribute significantly to our state.

The one-time allocation of $500m pales in comparison to what immigrant workers contribute to our state. The governor and the legislature must do more to stand up for immigrant workers and their families, and the California Network for Immigrant and Worker Justice will continue to push for this critical program to receive funding this year.

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About California Network for Immigrant and Worker Justice
The California Network for Immigrant and Worker Justice is an organization from across California. The network works to expand safety net programs for excluded immigrant workers to build a resilient economy that works for everyone. Find us on Instagram and Facebook.