Republicans accuse California’s largest immigrant-rights group of benefiting from taxpayer dollars while boosting partisan redistricting efforts.
California Republicans are sounding alarms over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ties to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), accusing the group of using millions in taxpayer funding while playing a role in promoting the governor’s controversial redistricting plan.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) blasted the partnership in an interview with Fox News, claiming that CHIRLA, which received more than $34 million in state grants in 2023, is now leading “grassroots organizing” for what he called Newsom’s “Redistricting Sham.”
“Congress must pass my No Tax Dollars for Riots Act,” Kiley wrote in an X post, referencing his bill that would strip funding from nonprofits involved in riots or unlawful demonstrations. The measure was previously endorsed by President Donald Trump, according to Kiley’s office.
CHIRLA, founded in 1986, is one of the largest immigrant-rights groups in the state and has long received public funding to provide legal and social services to immigrants. In 2023 alone, it received $34 million in state allocations (taxpayer funds), a sharp increase from prior years, according to state budget records.
The organization has denied allegations of wrongdoing related to unrest in Los Angeles following immigration enforcement actions earlier this summer. In a statement to reporters, CHIRLA said its role was limited to “organizing a press event and sending legal observers,” according to The Guardian.
Meanwhile, Newsom signed legislation on Aug. 21, 2025, that would replace California’s current congressional maps with new boundaries heavily tilted toward Democrats. Critics argue that the law circumvents the state’s independent redistricting commission, thereby undermining voter trust. The measure, which Democrats named the Election Rigging Response Act (ERRA), is now being challenged in court by state Republicans.
Supporters of the new maps, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), argue the legislation was needed to counter what they call “extreme gerrymandering” in states like Texas “California Democrats will not allow Trump’s Republican Party to rig the system and take permanent control of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Rivas said in an Aug. 9 press release.
However, opponents, such as Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita), warn that the plan amounts to a blatant power grab by Democrats. LaMalfa said in a press release, “If you want to know what’s wrong with these maps, just take a look at them … This is naked politics at its worst.” Sanchez called the move “an assault on California’s independent redistricting commission” and vowed to support Republican lawsuits challenging the measure.
“California is not Texas, and we have established the gold standard for a Citizens Redistricting Commission that should serve as a national model. … I am deeply concerned that the governor and his Democratic allies may push through redistricting plans lacking the transparency and public input our democratic process demands,” said State Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach), in a separate statement.
With lawsuits pending and federal lawmakers considering funding restrictions on groups like CHIRLA, the redistricting fight is likely to intensify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
