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California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have criticized President Trump for the costly decision to deploy troops to handle anti-ICE protests in their area, a bill that is substantially lower than the expenses taxpayers bear for undocumented immigrants in the state.
“This is a shameful misuse of taxpayer money that could actually be used to support those in need,” Bass recently shared on X. “Despicable.”
“$134 million should be directed towards LA’s fire recovery,” Newsom wrote on X. “Shameful.”
Numerous social media users reacted to Newsom and Bass’s posts, highlighting the billions spent on undocumented immigrants in California, including Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.
GOP LAWMAKER CALLS FOR RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO LAPD’S SLOW RESPONSE TIME IN ASSISTING ASSAULTED ICE OFFICERS
California spends tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on undocumented immigrants annually. (Getty)
“Just wait until you learn how many trillions we have to allocate for undocumented immigrants,” Miller commented on X in response to Newsom.
“Now let’s talk about the $9 billion drained from our state treasury for your free healthcare for undocumented immigrants plan,” campaign strategist Andrew Clark posted on X.
“How many billions have you allocated for undocumented immigrants, Gavin? It’s certainly hundreds of billions,” Conservative activist Robby Starbuck stated on X. “That money should have been used for your citizens and fire recovery, but it went to undocumented immigrants.”
Recent analyses highlighted by Fox News Digital indicate that California invests tens of billions in undocumented immigrants each year, far exceeding the cost of $134 million to deploy federal troops in response to rioting.
A financial analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), showcased by the House Budget Committee in a 2023 press release, revealed that “benefits and services provided to undocumented immigrants in California alone in 2022” totaled over $22 billion.
In a more recent cost analysis, FAIR estimated that services for undocumented immigrants cost California taxpayers $31 billion annually.
A 2019 study by FAIR discovered that the costs related to the incarceration of undocumented immigrants undergoing the legal process and residing in jails amounted to over $2 billion per year for California.
Earlier this year, Newsom requested an additional $2.8 billion loan to manage a growing deficit in the state’s Medicaid program, which has been inflated primarily by covering undocumented immigrants.
WATCH: DEM, MEDIA OUTLETS IDEALIZE LA ANTI-ICE PROTESTS AS ‘PEACEFUL’ DESPITE VIOLENCE AND INJURED OFFICERS
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Oakland, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Last year, California broadened Medi-Cal to cover all low-income adults aged 26 to 49, regardless of immigration status, making it the first state to implement such a policy. Current state data indicates that around 1.6 million undocumented immigrants are enrolled in the state’s healthcare program, alongside 15 million Californian residents.
Beyond the taxpayer funds allocated to undocumented individuals, a recent study by Wallethub found that California ranks near the bottom nationally for taxpayer returns on investment.
Wallethub assessed state and local tax collections and compared them with the quality of services in areas like education, health, safety, the economy, as well as infrastructure and pollution. California ranks 47th in taxpayer efficiency across the United States.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin countered criticisms from California Democrats, pointing to the potential costs of the rioters’ actions, estimated in the millions, in terms of property damage to taxpayers if not swiftly controlled by federal forces.
“Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are conveniently overlooking the significant costs of mass looting, businesses being destroyed, and public property being damaged in LA,” McLaughlin stated.
A protester showcases the Mexican flag in front of a burning Waymo vehicle during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. (Getty)
“President Trump will not remain passive while rioters ravage a great American city. Newsom and Bass ought to be grateful for President Trump’s additional assistance in restoring law and order and halting the devastation in LA.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Newsom’s Communications Director Izzy Gardon emphasized the undeniable return on investment when Californians have access to education and healthcare.
“There’s absolutely no return for taxpayers when Trump wastes $140 million of YOUR money to pull troops from the border and away from wildfire preparations simply for them to sit idle in LA while he plays the role of a dictator chasing headlines. This is not public safety — it’s a political stunt and a disgrace.”
Bass’s office directed Fox News Digital to relate a comment the mayor made on MSNBC.
“We are a city of immigrants,” Bass stated. “Entire industries rely on immigrant labor. This poses a significant threat to families, but it also severely impacts the local economy if this continues.”
Late Thursday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order directing President Donald Trump to restore control of the National Guard to California.
The order, effective at noon Friday, concluded that the Guard’s deployment was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment, exceeding Trump’s statutory authority.
The Trump administration contested this ruling, and hours later, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stayed the federal judge’s decision.
The court has scheduled a hearing for June 17 on this matter.
Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph and Associated Press contributed to this report
