In April 2020, the nonprofit organization Center for American Liberty filed a lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over Newsom's statewide assistance program for immigrants who did not qualify for federal unemployment benefits or economic assistance under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Benitez was a plaintiff in the suit. The suit argued that Newsom's program, which provided state funds to nonprofits for redistribution to immigrants, was not permitted under California's constitution without state legislative action. Newsom's office issued a statement in response that said, "California is taking legally justified and morally necessary action to assist all Californians impacted by COVID-19. These actions benefit public health and the economic well-being of families and communities hit hardest by this pandemic. We look forward to defending what we know to be right in court.”