In a move that has raised eyebrows among conservatives, Washington Democrats are once again pushing for the provision of unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants, despite the state's significant budget deficit.
This proposal comes from Sen. Rebecca Saldaa (D-Seattle), who has reintroduced a bill aimed at enabling illegal immigrants to access unemployment insurance. This is a program typically funded through federal and state payroll taxes deducted from employees' paychecks.
As reported by The Post Millennial, the proposed bill, SB 5023, would necessitate the allocation of state funds to a program specifically designed for illegal immigrants who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance due to their immigration status. This is despite the fact that illegal immigrants are not legally permitted to apply for work permits and are thus unable to register or file for unemployment compensation under federal law. The Washington State Standard estimates that over 156,000 illegal immigrants are currently employed in Washington state.
The proposed program would direct these individuals to a separate website, managed by a third-party administrative system, via the Employment Security Department's website. According to Saldaa, this system would safeguard the identities of illegal immigrants and prevent employers from facing liability for knowingly hiring individuals without legal immigration status. The program is projected to cost around $100 million in the first two-year budget cycle and $140 million in the subsequent cycle, potentially benefiting over 5,300 workers annually.
However, this proposal comes at a time when Washington is grappling with a budget deficit ranging from $10-17 billion. Incoming Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson has proposed a 6 percent cut across the board as an initial measure to address the deficit. Outgoing Governor Jay Inslee, on the other hand, has suggested a wealth tax, among other revenue-generating plans, to bridge the financial gap.
Interestingly, a similar proposal was put forth by Democrat lawmakers in California but was vetoed by liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom due to a substantial budget deficit. Fox News also reported that Newsom blocked a bill aimed at improving illegal immigrants' access to home loans and mortgages.
In 2022, Colorado became the first state in the US to pass legislation establishing an unemployment fund for illegal immigrants, allocating $15 million annually for the program.
Saldaa's proposal aligns with her history of radical activism. In 2021, she supported controversial progressive candidate Ubax Gardheere, despite the release of a video showing Gardheere threatening to blow up a school bus filled with children. Saldaa, who serves as vice chair of the state's transportation committee, was also caught discussing driving laws on a Zoom call while driving, a clear violation of state law. This latest proposal is likely to further fuel the debate on immigration policies and the allocation of state resources.
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