Immigration

Any honest discussion of immigration has to recognize how much our economy depends on immigrant labor. Gas stations, fast food restaurants, nail salons, convenience stores, construction sites, ground maintenance companies, rideshare services, and trucking operations all depend on immigrant workers. We need immigrants to help our country function. But we also need to know who’s here, who’s working, and who’s following the law.

Too much time is spent on regulations and legislation aimed at controlling ICE. I believe Washington needs a more practical state-level approach. My proposal is a Washington State Citizenship program or “Washingtonship” (WSC).

Current unregistered immigrants and asylum seekers in Washington would qualify for this standard if they can show they have lived in the state for more than one year. New immigrants and asylum seekers wouldn’t qualify for this program.

People who are here unlawfully but who register under the program would receive protection from the State of Washington. This would be a sanctuary-state model, but it wouldn’t be amnesty. Participants would receive a sealed misdemeanor and pay a fine that helps fund the state program. The fine would be a small amount taken from each paycheck until it equals the normal U.S. citizenship application fee, plus the cost of administering the state program.

If federal authorities later recognize or coordinate with the Washingtonship program, the hope is that the state process could transfer into the federal process for U.S. citizenship.

Washington should crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers outside the law. At the same time, the state should make it easier and less expensive for employers to use legal work visa programs, including H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B visas.

The state shouldn’t provide immigrants with services that current residents don’t receive.