Washington

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(117,314 posts) Mon Jan 13, 2025, 02:38 PM Monday

Economy Politics WA bill would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S.

With President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations when he takes office on Jan. 20, uncertainty is rising for immigrants across the U.S.

State lawmakers have limited power over federal immigration enforcement. But in Washington’s upcoming legislative session, legislators will be looking at a bill to strengthen the safety net for immigrants working in the state without legal authorization.

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, is re-introducing a bill this session to help these workers access unemployment insurance.

Lawmakers, immigrant rights advocates, and business groups in Washington acknowledge the important role immigrants play in helping employers meet state and national labor needs. However, the unemployment insurance proposal is stirring concerns over costs and other issues related to privacy and employer liability.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/13/wa-bill-would-offer-unemployment-benefits-to-immigrants-not-authorized-to-work-in-u-s/

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Economy Politics WA bill would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S. (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Monday OP

Why are they shielding employers from breaking the law ? MichMan Monday #1

Workers don't pay unemployment taxes in 47 of the states, employers do. MichMan Monday #2

MichMan

(13,768 posts)

1. Why are they shielding employers from breaking the law ?

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jan 13, 2025, 02:42 PM

Monday

The program would be run through a third-party administrative system. According to Saldaña, this would lower expenses, protect workers’ identities and prevent employers from being held liable for knowingly hiring immigrants without legal immigration status.

MichMan

(13,768 posts)

2. Workers don't pay unemployment taxes in 47 of the states, employers do.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Mon Jan 13, 2025, 06:51 PM

Monday

The statement below from the OP is not truthful. Employers, not employees pay unemployment taxes.

Unemployment insurance is jointly financed through federal and state payroll taxes, which are taxes withheld from an employee’s paycheck that companies are responsible for paying to the government.

In Washington, immigrants who are not legally authorized to work in the U.S. have contributed nearly $400 million to unemployment funds over the past decade, according to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network.

This article explains who pays unemployment taxes.

With a few exceptions, only employers contribute to federal and state unemployment programs. The outliers are Alaska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In these states, both employers and employees pay SUTA tax.

https://www.adp.com/resources/articles-and-insights/articles/w/who-pays-for-unemployment.aspx

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