Support excluded undocumented workers receiving unemployment benefits

I come from a family of Mexican immigrants. We found home in Renton and King County over 25 years ago. Growing up in Renton, my mother was undocumented working multiple jobs in hospitality and food service, and my father is now retired after working as a certified nursing assistant.

We have the privilege of living in King County, which has robust social safety nets that support all residents. We benefit from inclusive statewide programs like healthcare, student aid, food assistance, and other benefits that cover undocumented workers under certain income eligibility requirements. However, a major gap exists with our unemployment insurance program. Undocumented immigrant workers paid over $400 million in the last ten years into this program, but don’t receive benefits should they get laid off. About 325,000 residents in Washington are undocumented, and more than one out of ten K-12 students in Washington have at least one parent who is undocumented.

Legislation was introduced this year that would address this major gap. Senate Bill 5626/ House Bill 1773 would provide a permanent unemployment insurance program for excluded undocumented workers. Passing this bill would mean that immigrant families suffering from job loss receive what is deserved to them. Undocumented immigrant workers deserve the same rights and privileges as any other worker would receive, period. They contribute to our local economies. They raise our children in daycare centers, and they care for our families in healthcare centers and hospitals. I encourage all Washingtonians to contact their legislators to support this legislation.

Guillermo Zazueta, OneAmerica