A Washington state senator is proposing a bill to provide unemployment assistance to undocumented workers who are ineligible for federal benefits. This comes amid a potential crackdown on illegal immigration by the incoming Trump administration.
A Washington state Democrat is proposing a policy to assist unemployed illegal immigrants who are ineligible for unemployment benefits. This comes as President-elect Trump and his designated border czar, Thomas Homan, signal a crackdown on illegal immigration, including discussions of 'mass deportation' plans, a departure from the Biden-era approach. State Senator Rebecca Saldaña is introducing a bill that would ensure Washington residents legally unable to work in the U.S.
– a group primarily composed of undocumented immigrants – have access to assistance. Saldaña, representing Seattle, declined to provide further comments on her bill to Fox News Digital, but a representative for the senator noted her previous emphasis on the 'substantial contributions of undocumented workers' to Washington's economy. This group collectively paid nearly $400 million in unemployment taxes over the past decade, and the bill aims to ensure those who contribute to the system can rely on it when needed. The representative stated that Saldaña has reintroduced similar legislation during both Democratic and Republican administrations because the 'inequities in our immigration system' are systemic and long-standing. Saldaña has previously argued that providing unemployment benefits to qualified undocumented workers will help stabilize the workforce and prevent future poverty and homelessness resulting from job loss. Consequently, it is expected to have lasting positive effects on the Evergreen State's economy, according to her office. Senate Minority Leader John Braun, a Republican from Centralia, indicated that he hadn't seen the bill's text as of Monday afternoon but was aware of the proposal. 'We have a lot of work to do on immigration, both on undocumented immigrants and on legal immigration in our state. That's largely a federal issue,' Braun stated. 'I look for the folks in D.C. to handle and for us to stay clear.' Under federal law, illegal immigrants are ineligible to apply for work permits and, therefore, cannot register or file for unemployment compensation. This also applies to individuals with expired work authorizations and dependents of people residing in the U.S. under specific visa classifications, including O – 'extraordinary ability'; R – Religious worker; and F – student visas. According to a 1985 memo from the Department of Labor, 'an alien must be legally authorized to work in the United States to be considered ‘available for work’ – Therefore, an alien without current, valid authorization to work from the INS is not legally ‘available for work’ and not eligible for benefits.' The memo referred to the INS, or Immigration and Naturalization Service, a predecessor to today's Department of Homeland Security.
IMMIGRATION UNEMPLOYMENT WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS FEDERAL LAW UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS
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