California

California governor vetoes bill to help undocumented immigrants buy homes

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2024

California governor vetoes bill to help undocumented immigrants buy homes

By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) – California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill on Friday that would have allowed undocumented immigrants access to state funds in helping buy a home, citing “finite funding.”

“Given the finite funding available for (California Housing Finance Agency) programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively,” Newsom said in a statement. “For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”

The state legislature approved the bill and sent it to the governor’s desk last week.

The bill was authored by California lawmaker Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat representing Fresno.

“AB 1840 is about providing an opportunity to hard-working, responsible people who dream of owning a home and passing that legacy to their children,” Arambula has said about the bill. “And, that includes undocumented immigrants who have lived here for decades and pay their taxes.”

Republicans who opposed the legislation said housing assistance for families who came legally to the U.S. should be prioritized and not for undocumented immigrants.

Immigration has emerged as an important issue for the upcoming Nov. 5 U.S. elections in which Democratic Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris faces Republican former President Donald Trump.

Trump has labeled Democrats as soft on immigration and has advocated for deporting immigrants who have come to the U.S. illegally. He said on Thursday he would ban mortgages for migrants living illegally in California, after claiming without evidence they were driving up housing costs.

He did not provide specifics on how he would enact such a ban and did not say whether the ban would apply beyond California.

Banks can legally provide mortgages to undocumented migrants, but do so infrequently.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)

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California

Preliminary magnitude 3.3 earthquake strikes near San Ramon, USGS says

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Preliminary magnitude 3.3 earthquake strikes near San Ramon, USGS says

SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.4 struck near San Ramon at 11:21 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

USGS said the tremor was about 8.4 km in depth.

According to the Geological Survey, people typically report feeling earthquakes larger than about magnitude 2.5.

The closer to the surface an earthquake occurs, the more ground shaking and potential damage it will cause.

No injuries have been reported.

This is the latest quake in San Ramon, which has seen multiple strings of tremors in the past several months.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

MAP: Significant San Francisco Bay Area fault lines and strong earthquakes
Zoom in on the map below and compare where you live to the significant faults and where strong earthquakes have struck in the Bay Area.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.

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California

More SoCal rallies for and against military action in Iran expected on Sunday and Monday

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

More SoCal rallies for and against military action in Iran expected on Sunday and Monday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Worshippers across Los Angeles were met with an increased law enforcement presence on Sunday as police and sheriff’s deputies stepped up patrols outside mosques, synagogues and cultural landmarks following the strikes on Iran.

Local officials said there are no credible threats to Southern California, but the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department heightened visibility as a precaution to ensure communities stay safe.

More demonstrations tied to the attack on Iran are expected Sunday and Monday. Several protests were held across Southern California on Saturday.

READ MORE | Rallies for and against military action in Iran draw demonstrators across Southern California

While Iranian-Americans celebrated in Westwood, protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles to oppose the Trump administration’s attacks against Iran.

While some groups gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest the strikes, others assembled in Westwood to celebrate “the fall of the Ayotollah,” according to organizers.

Authorities said they will continue monitoring events as the region prepares for additional gatherings in the days ahead.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

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