Democratic lawmakers in Washington state are pushing a package to help protect unemployed undocumented immigrants who are unable to receive unemployment benefits.
The news comes as President-elect Trump and border czar-designate Thomas Homan hint at a crackdown on illegal immigration and discuss a “mass deportation” plan that would reverse the Biden administration-era status quo.
State Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is introducing a bill that would make aid available to Washingtonians who are not legally eligible to work in the United States, a group made up of undocumented immigrants.
Saldaña, D-Seattle, declined to comment further on her bill to Fox News Digital, but a representative for her previously said she has praised the “significant contributions of undocumented workers… to Washington’s economy.” He pointed out that he was emphasizing.
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Together, the groups have paid nearly $400 million in unemployment taxes over the past decade, and the bill aims to ensure that people who pay into the program have access to unemployment taxes when they need them. her office said.
He said Saldaña reintroduced similar legislation under previous Democratic and Republican administrations because “the inequities in our immigration system are systemic and long-standing.”
Mr. Saldaña has previously argued that providing unemployment benefits to eligible undocumented workers would help stabilize the workforce and prevent future unemployment from resulting in poverty and homelessness.
Therefore, it will have a lasting positive impact on the Evergreen State’s economy, her office said.
Senate Minority Leader John Brown, R-Centralia, said as of Monday afternoon that he had not seen the text of the bill but was aware of the proposal itself.
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“We have a lot of work to do on immigration in our state, both illegal immigration and legal immigration. It’s primarily a federal issue,” Brown said.
“I’m looking for someone to help me in DC. [the immigration issue] and for us too [in state government] To stay clear. ”
Under federal law, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to apply for work permits and cannot register or apply for unemployment compensation. Dependents of individuals with expired work permits and those residing in the United States under some visa classifications are also excluded.
Excluded visa classes include O – “Extraordinary Ability”; R – religious activist. F – Student visa.
According to a 1985 Department of Labor memo, “For an alien to be considered ‘available to work,’ he or she must be legally authorized to work in the United States; therefore, an alien who does not have a valid work permit from the INS Foreigners are not legally allowed to work, but are “able to work” and are not eligible for benefits. ”
The memo was referring to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the predecessor agency of today’s Department of Homeland Security.
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Washington State Capitol (Getty)
Elsewhere in the U.S., the Colorado Office of New Americans is offering “benefits” to help undocumented workers who have been “separated from employment through no fault of their own” and who meet several other criteria. has been granted access to the ‘Recovery Fund’.
But in California, Democratic lawmakers tried to provide aid similar to what Mr. Saldaña is seeking, but they were blocked by Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a liberal.
Newsom vetoed the bill in September, also blocking a proposal to give undocumented immigrants better access to mortgages and home loans.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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