Category: Immigration

On Monday, over 30 Washington CAN! leaders marched, chanted, and distributed “WARNING” signs to Senator Benton at his office in Olympia, highlighting the dangerous impact of his proposed legislation on people of color and low-income families.

Senator Benton is the primary sponsor of six bills this session that would increase racial disparities and economic inequity in Washington. Despite the fact that 20% of his constituents are people of color, his proposed legislation targets immigrants, people of color and low-income families.

We also warned other lawmakers that supporting Benton’s ideas would drastically lower their racial equity grades in the “Facing Race” report that assesses legislators votes on racial and economic equity.

See below for the list of bills we were targeting Benton for and recommended actions:

• SB 5012 restricts access to driver’s licenses based on immigration status. This bill directly threatens the safety of our communities and would have negative consequences for workers and families. Many of our state’s key industries are also dependent on an immigrant workforce (the majority of whom are people of color) and barriers to transportation would harm our state’s economy at a time when we can least afford it. Vote NO.
• SB 5015 would expand the death penalty. Data has shown that the state is more likely to impose the death penalty on African American defendants than white defendants convicted of the same offense. Expanding the death penalty would therefore increase the racially inequitable and costly application of capital punishment. This bill also goes against proven research that suggests that resources should be focused on prevention and intervention, instead of on mass incarceration. Vote NO. Instead, pass legislation to abolish the death penalty.
• SB 5087 restricts people’s access to in-state tuition and financial aid based on immigration status (repeals HB 1079). This bill creates additional barriers for young immigrants in attaining higher education. Given the current racial disparities that exist in educational attainment, the focus of the legislature should be on expanding access to opportunity for youth of color. Passing this bill would vastly restrict the potential of young immigrants and hurt Washington’s future economic growth. Vote NO. Instead, Pass the Washington State Dream Act
• SB 5156 limits teens reproductive rights by requiring notification to parents or guardians in cases of abortion. SB 5156 is dangerous to our state’s most vulnerable teens and would jeopardize young women who are victims of domestic abuse, rape, or incest if or when they seek help. Vote NO to protect young women’s health and safety.
• SB 5380 amends current law so that to obtain or renew a form of identification or driver’s license, proof of lawful presence or citizenship must be given. This bill is essentially the same as SB 5012 (the driver’s license bill), see above description. Vote NO. Don’t let Benton pass a second bill to take away drivers’ licenses!
• SB 5585 requires drug testing for all TANF recipients. Mandatory drug testing for TANF recipients unfairly targets and stereotypes low-income people and families who rely on TANF while they are looking for employment or accessing needed income support for themselves and their children. Vote NO. Don’t punish low-income families in need.