Some years ago, after my wife was released from the detention center in Tacoma, and after I had spent all my money on a lawyer to secure her release, I found myself without a job because I was focused on reuniting my wife with our children. I applied for housing assistance, but the response was, “No, you don’t qualify.” Even applying for unemployment benefits was a challenge.
We all need a safety system that is equitable for everyone in the state. Even if we don’t have immigration status, we cannot be excluded from basic protections like unemployment insurance. The reality in Washington is that employers pay into the unemployment fund for every employee, regardless of immigration status. Yet, undocumented workers are excluded from receiving these benefits even though they contribute a combined $1 billion in taxes every year.
I urge everyone to contact their state representative and let them know that our unemployment insurance system should be inclusive of all working people, regardless of immigration status. Lawmakers can do this by passing Senate Bill 5626 this legislative session.
