Katie Porter faces backlash online after saying illegal immigration drives California's population growth

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former Rep. Katie Porter, a Democratic candidate in California’s crowded gubernatorial primary, is facing backlash after saying illegal immigrants are driving population growth in the state, a claim long advanced by Republicans.

A televised debate in California’s crowded governor’s race triggered a wave of online reactions after Democratic candidates repeatedly clashed over healthcare, taxes, homelessness, and the future direction of the party.

Katie Porter makes controversial remark on immigrants

Porter sparked controversy by stating that illegal immigrants are driving population growth in California, a claim long advanced by Republicans.

"The job of the California governor is to protect every single Californian," Porter said after being asked if she would work with federal authorities to deport illegal immigrants at Tuesday's California gubernatorial debate.

Porter defended her stance by emphasizing that illegal immigrants are Californians who contribute to the economy, pay taxes, and have helped the state grow in recent years.

"These are Californians. They contribute to our economy. They pay taxes. And they’re one of the only ways that our state has been growing in recent years," Porter said of illegal immigrants.

Critics, including President Donald Trump, have accused Democrats of resisting efforts to deport illegal immigrants due to concerns about losing House seats, as the Census counts illegal immigrants in determining House seat apportionment.

Internet reacts to Katie Porter’s comment with criticism

Many reactions online centered on how openly Democratic candidates challenged one another rather than focusing solely on Republicans.

Gunther Eagleman, a popular right-wing X account, accused Porter of saying "the quiet part out loud" by stating that illegal immigrants have mitigated population decline in California.

"Katie Porter accidentally admits out loud that Californians are fleeing California and are being replaced by imported illegals," conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok posted on X. 

"So she's saying Cali has too many seats in the House?" another X user said in response to Porter’s comment.

Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have accused Democrats of resisting efforts to deport illegal immigrants because it could cost them seats in the House of Representatives.

"California is cooked: Katie Porter says criminal illegal aliens are ‘one of the only ways California has been growing in recent years," Republican communications operative Steve Guest wrote on X.

"That's because all the billionaires, millionaires big business and anyone that can afford it is leaving [California] faster than you pouring a pot of boiling hot potatoes on your ex partners head," one X account wrote, responding to Porter and alluding to an allegation of domestic violence against the gubernatorial candidate.

Other critics seized on Porter’s assertion that illegal immigrants benefit California’s economy.

"If you think the best way to promote economic growth involves letting in illegal aliens, you’re doing it wrong," Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote.

Conservative critics argue that illegal immigrants consume more than that in public services, such as education and subsidized healthcare, though the costs of such things are difficult to quantify.