California's debt is substantial, and a portion of it is attributed to costs associated with illegal immigration. According to a report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), California spends nearly $31 billion annually on benefits and services for illegal immigrants. These costs include education, healthcare, housing, and nutrition assistance, among other expenses. The report also notes that California's policies, such as in-state tuition for undocumented students and expanded Medi-Cal coverage, contribute to these expenditures.
While this figure is significant, it's important to recognize that California's overall budget deficit is much larger. The state's 2024-25 budget deficit is estimated at $73 billion, driven by various factors including increased spending and declining tax revenues. Illegal immigration is just one component of the state's financial challenges.
Note that this 31 BILLION in just the state of California does NOT include the salaries for police, fire, parole officers, probation officers, jails, DMV workers, welfare workers, judges, public defenders, and school staff aren't broken down specifically for undocumented immigrant services, which would also be in the billions of dollars.