California Budget Pumps $350 Million into ‘Immigrant Newcomer’ School Program

As California lawmakers grapple with a massive state budget and ongoing fiscal pressures, Assemblymember Matt Haney (D–San Francisco) announced on Thursday that the Legislature’s budget plan includes a $350 million “investment” in the California Newcomer Education and Well-Being Program (CalNEW).

The funding would significantly expand the state’s only dedicated program for immigrant and newcomer students in their first years attending public schools. California enrolled nearly 237,000 such students last year, the largest population in the nation.

CalNEW supports English language development, bilingual programs, mental health and trauma-informed care, family navigation services, and connections to housing, food, health care, and legal/immigration resources. According to the announcement, the new dollars aim to nearly double current capacity, potentially serving close to all eligible newcomer students instead of the roughly 30% currently reached.

“California’s schools should be places where every student feels safe, supported and able to succeed, no matter where they were born,” Haney said in a statement. “At a time when immigrant families are facing fear and uncertainty, California is standing with newcomer students.”

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, joined in championing the expansion. “As California is home to more newcomer students than any other state, it’s critical that we invest in the academic, mental health and language support needed,” she said.

Advocates praised the move. Martha Hernandez of Californians Together called it a response to federal cuts under the Trump administration, noting that CalNEW would help offset reductions in federal English learner funding and public benefits. Vince Stewart of Children Now highlighted the push for “linguistically and culturally responsive support” and “true educational equity.”

The announcement frames the spending as essential amid rising demand from districts struggling to serve newly arrived students and families under the Biden Administration. 

However, critics question the wisdom of committing another $350 million in taxpayer dollars to specialized programs for non-citizen students while California faces chronic budget shortfalls, overcrowded schools, declining test scores for all students, strained infrastructure, and Medi-Cal insolvency from noncitizen enrollment.

California already maintains some of the most expansive sanctuary-style policies in the nation, which have drawn millions of illegal aliens, placing heavy burdens on schools, hospitals, and local governments. This latest allocation continues a progressive pattern of prioritizing noncitizen services–even as many California families report their own children falling behind in reading, math, and graduation readiness.

Currently, California and city governments are passing along massive tax increases to business and citizens to subsidize noncitizens’ healthcare, welfare, and education.

The final budget still requires Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval by June 29. If enacted, the $350 million would add to the state’s already enormous education spending, which routinely tops $100 billion annually, while delivering failing or unprepared students.

California Globe will continue to monitor the budget negotiations and the long-term costs and effectiveness of CalNEW as implementation unfolds.