A Washington state lawmaker wants to extend unemployment benefits to workers who are in the country illegally.
Key Facts:
– State Sen. Rebecca Saldaña introduced the measure in Washington.
– These benefits would cover residents not allowed to work legally in the U.S.
– Saldaña believes these workers contribute taxes yet cannot receive help.
– Opponents say the issue should be decided by the federal government.
– Similar efforts have been attempted elsewhere, with mixed results.
The Rest of The Story:
President-elect Trump and his designated border official have promised a stricter approach to illegal immigration, signaling big changes to current policies.
Saldaña’s proposed legislation seeks to assist a group she believes is left vulnerable—those who pay into state unemployment funds but are barred from claiming them.
The senator argues that workers without the right documentation are often stuck paying various taxes, including those that go toward unemployment insurance.
According to Saldaña’s office, that group has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars over the last decade.
She contends that those funds should provide support when people lose their jobs, preventing further poverty and homelessness.
Not everyone agrees.
Some, including Senate Minority Leader John Braun, say that resolving broader immigration challenges remains a federal matter.
They feel states can easily overstep their bounds, risking legal problems.
Federal law forbids those who lack proper work authorization from collecting unemployment benefits.
However, Saldaña has introduced similar legislation before, suggesting she sees it as a long-term effort to fix what she views as an unfair system.
Though Washington isn’t alone in exploring this path—Colorado and California have tried measures that go in a similar direction—there is still debate about whether these proposals are the best way to solve the issue.
If this doesn’t piss you off I don’t know what will?
The California Senate voted to pay $300 weekly checks to unemployed illegal immigrants even as the state faces a roughly $31.5 billion deficit and mass illegal immigration.
The legislation would offer illegal aliens up to 20… pic.twitter.com/vLzROif9EV
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) September 13, 2023
Commentary:
If this proposal is ever implemented, it would be absolute madness.
Providing taxpayer-funded unemployment benefits to those here illegally makes no sense whatsoever.
Thankfully, next Monday President Trump takes office, and he will put an end to this misguided idea before it becomes law.
The Bottom Line:
This bill aims to help undocumented workers who pay into the state system without reaping its benefits.
Supporters see it as a straightforward fairness measure.
READ NEXT: Massive Hospital Group that Manages 11,000+ Doctors Files For Bankruptcy
Critics believe it is literally insane and federal law restricts these benefits.