California is set to spend approximately $10 billion on full health care benefits for undocumented immigrants in the 2025–26 fiscal year—an amount nearly 28 times greater than the $348 million allocated to the state’s Department of Justice and California Highway Patrol combined. The figures were reported by the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) and highlight a significant shift in California’s fiscal priorities.
The $10 billion total reflects a 35% increase from the earlier $7.4 billion projection made in Governor Gavin Newsom’s previous budget. The increase follows the expansion of Medi-Cal coverage, which as of January 2024, includes full benefits for all low-income undocumented adults aged 26 to 49. California now offers the most comprehensive publicly funded health benefits for undocumented individuals in the United States.
According to the LAO, undocumented immigrants currently make up about 11% of all Medi-Cal enrollees. While the bulk of law enforcement funding in California comes from local and county budgets, the stark disparity in state-level spending between health benefits for undocumented residents and support for law enforcement has raised concerns among critics.
Supporters of the expanded healthcare program argue that it improves public health and ensures medical access for all residents, regardless of immigration status. Opponents question the long-term fiscal sustainability and the fairness of devoting substantial taxpayer resources to individuals residing in the country illegally.
As California faces ongoing budgetary constraints, the divide between healthcare and public safety allocations is likely to intensify policy debates about spending priorities, public welfare, and state responsibility.
