Thank you to our community for taking action during the Washington Legislative Session this year to support Latino immigrants. With your help and the help of coalition partners across the State, we were able to pass historical wins for our community.
Below is a summary and update of the work that was made possible. There is still more work to be done, especially at the city and national level. Stay tuned!
Washington State
Passed Legislation – We did it!
Worker’s Compensation for Day Laborers and Domestic Workers. Funding to begin research on how to create a worker compensation program for day laborers and domestic workers who normally have multiple employers was funded. This work has been officially approved by the Governor.
Ban Private Detention Center. The ban on private detention centers was passed by Washington State legislators and was signed into law by the Governor.
Protect Funding for citizenship assistance programs. No cuts were made to funding for citizenship assistance programs. The funding has been approved by the Governor.
Partial Win
Unemployment Insurance that Includes Everyone who Contributes. A new insurance system that includes undocumented workers was not created but over $375 million was won for our community! We won an additional $340 million to the Undocumented Worker Relief Bill in Washington State providing additional funds to those who were left out of federal COVID-19 relief support. $35 million was also won to extend health care to undocumented communities through community clinics.
Not Passed
Domestic Workers Protections for Working on the Frontlines. Domestic workers were determined to not be “frontline workers” and were excluded.
National and City of Seattle Updates
While the Washington State legislative session is done for the year, there is still more work happening at the city and national level. Stay tuned for continued action alerts!
In Progress
Create Real Pathways to Citizenship for Everyone. This is still in play! Keep an eye out for future action alerts.
Pass a National Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. This is still in play! Keep an eye out for future action alerts.
Worker Benefits for Domestic Workers in Seattle. 300 participants participated in a survey about worker benefits for domestic workers. Results will be presented to Seattle City Council within a few weeks. Keep an eye out for future action alerts.
Thank you for being a part of the movement to advance the power and well-being of Latino immigrant workers.
In Solidarity,
Marcos Martinez
Executive Director
