The California Senate on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that would open access to a state homebuyer loan program to immigrants lacking permanent legal status.

Assembly Bill 1840 — written by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, a Fresno Democrat — augments an existing program that provides loans to first-time homebuyers. A potential homebuyer must meet the requirements of the California Housing Finance Authority in order to access the home purchase assistance fund. Arambula’s bill would ensure someone couldn’t be disqualified because of their immigration status.

The bill passed 23 to 11. It now returns to the Assembly for a final vote before it can reach the governor’s desk.

Many Republicans opposed the bill’s passage.

“Very simply, we can’t afford it,” said state Senator Kelly Seyarto, a Murrieta Republican.

Seyarto pointed to the deficit lawmakers faced with this fiscal year’s budget. He argued that expanding the program will lead to mortgage lenders offering more loans, one issue that led to the 2008 financial meltdown.