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AB-2271 • 2026

Immigrant benefits: loss of income: federal DHS enforcement.

Immigrant benefits: loss of income: federal DHS enforcement.

Budget
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Garcia
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Insurance
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact calculation method for benefits is described only as 'calculated as prescribed,' meaning specific formulas are not yet defined in this bill.

Immigration Enforcement Emergency Relief Program

This law creates a new state program to provide financial benefits to immigrants who lose earned income due to actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates the Immigration Enforcement Emergency Relief Program run by the Employment Development Department.
  • Establishes an emergency fund in the State Treasury, which can only be used if the Legislature approves spending money for it.
  • Requires rules to be written and approved by July 1, 2027, so people can apply for help.
  • Pays eligible individuals every two weeks for a maximum of 20 total weeks based on lost income.
  • Makes personal information collected for the program private and protected from public release.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Immigrants who are not usually allowed to get state benefits but lose earned income due to actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Employment Development Department, which must manage the new program and write rules for it.
  • Applicants filing claims, who will be told that their payments count as taxable federal income.

Terms To Know

Immigration Enforcement Emergency Relief Program
The name of the new state program created to give money to immigrants who lose earned income because of immigration enforcement actions.
Appropriation
An official decision by the Legislature to set aside specific amounts of public money for a purpose, which is required before this fund can be used.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The program cannot start paying benefits until the Legislature votes to give it money.
  • Specific rules about how much people get and exactly what counts as 'loss of earned income' will not exist until regulations are written by July 1, 2027.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Insurance

Official Summary Text

Immigrant benefits: loss of income: federal DHS enforcement.