The 2026-27 California Spending Plan

Human Services

Immigration and Equity-Related Budget Actions

In this section, we discuss key budget actions that primarily impact Department of Social Services Office of Equity programs, primarily serving immigrants, refugees, and victims of hate incidents.

Provides $39.5 million for Immigration-Related Services. The 2026-27 spending plan includes $39.5 million in one-time General Fund to provide immigrant-related services. Of these funds, at least $20 million will be used to increase legal capacity for removal defense, particularly for individuals in civil immigration detention. These funds shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029 and are in addition to the $43.7 million in baseline annual Immigration Services Funding.

Provides Additional One-Time Funding for the Children’s Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP). The 2026-27 spending plan includes an additional $15 million in one-time General Fund to support CHIRP. This funding is available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029 and will provide legal and social services to unaccompanied undocumented minors in California. Without this funding, state support for this program would have ended at some point in 2026-27.

Provides One-Time Funding for Additional Immigration-Related Services… The 2026-27 spending plan includes roughly $30 million to continue expanding services to immigrants and noncitizens across the state. These programs include:

• $12 million in one-time General Fund to support the Enhanced Services for Asylees and Vulnerable Noncitizens Program, which provides resettlement services for persons who are currently residing in California and who are granted asylum by the United States. These funds shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029.

• $7.5 million in one-time General Fund to support the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project, designed to support sustainable, cost-effective fellowship strategies. These funds shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029.

• $5 million in one-time General Fund to support the Access to Counsel Pilot Project. This pilot project may provide services at immigration courts through an attorney of the day model; expand community-based legal support through coordinated screening, referral, and legal assistance; and may expand access to habeas relief. These funds shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029.

• $5 million in one-time General Fund to improve outreach for immigration-related services to underserved populations. These funds shall be available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029.

…Including $34 million Allocated to Specified Organizations. As seen in Figure 1, the 2026-27 spending plan includes additional one-time funding for specific local organizations providing immigration-related services in various regions across the state.

Provides Additional One-Time Funding for Stop the Hate Program. The 2026-27 spending plan includes an additional $30 million in one-time General Fund to support Stop the Hate. This funding is available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2029 and will provide services in three broad areas: (1) direct services for victims of hate incidents and their families including legal services, health and mental health services, and community healing; (2) prevention services including youth development and senior safety programs; and (3) intervention services including outreach, restorative justice, and coordination with local governments. Without this funding, state support for this program would have ended at some point in 2026-27.