Washington is approaching the second year of the 2025-26 biennium which has seen notable leadership changes, including a new gubernatorial administration. Concerns over a state budget deficit continue to worry many policymakers. While these present challenges to advocates for vulnerable and underserved populations, the pressures from federal policy changes and attacks on immigrants and refugees mean it is more important than ever to urge our state legislature to take affirmative action to protect our communities.
Legislative and Budget Priorities
Maintaining funding for Naturalization and LEP Pathways and Legal Defense: We encourage the legislature to continue funding for essential programs that immigrants in our state rely on for safety, economic stability, and protection from a hostile, anti-immigrant federal administration. We request that the legislature support A&NH/PI and other immigrant communities by maintaining funding levels for naturalization services, Limited English Proficient pathways, and legal aid for low income immigrants.
Data Privacy and Quality of Care under the Apple Health Expansion: Currently, the Apple Health Expansion is providing health coverage to roughly 10,000 Washingtonians who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid, but are excluded due to their immigration status. The legislature should preserve funding for the AHE and ensure that all available funds are used to enroll applicants as more than 20,000 are currently waitlisted for coverage. The legislature should also work with the Health Care Authority to ensure that only strictly required data is reported to the federal government to maximize privacy for Washingtonians accessing these services.
Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 2105/SB 5852) : Our legislature should take bold steps to create stronger protections for immigrant workers by supporting this bill that would require employers to notify their employees of a planned inspection of employment eligibility paperwork within 72 hours of federal notification. Provisions would also include restricting employers from sharing worker records with federal agencies, except if the agent provides either a subpoena or judicial warrant for the employee records.
Progressive revenue: While our communities are already facing reductions in critical programs and services, our state is considering additional cuts to close the already wide budget deficit. Without new revenue, lawmakers will have to cut $5-7 billion from the state budget this legislative session. We encourage the legislature to look to progressive revenue sources such as a wealth tax on stocks, bonds, and other intangible financial assets as well as a millionaire’s income tax to ensure that we do not balance the budget on the backs of immigrant and working class families.
In addition to our legislative priorities, APIC has always uplifted the need for investment in our community through capital projects. This year, we are asking for support on the following capital projects:
The Sadako Renewal Project: Tsuru for Solidarity is requesting $150,000 to place a new statue of Sadako at the original site within the Seattle Peace Park. In July 2024, the statue of Sadako Sasaki (a 12-year old Japanese victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima) was cut off at the ankles and stolen from the Seattle Peace Park adjacent to the University Bridge. A community coalition of organizations and individuals from the Japanese American community, peace community, faith community and many other individuals locally, nationally and internationally came together to hold a healing ceremony at the site and to express a strong sentiment to renew the spirit of peace, harmony, and world community. The City of Seattle has already budgeted $400,000 for the project, and the coalition is currently seeking the remaining $150,000 from the State Legislature to cover the costs of design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of the new statue and renewed park.
Khmer Community and Cultural Center: Khmer Community of Seattle King County (KCSKC) is seeking $6 million to build the first Khmer Community and Cultural Center in Seattle and Washington State at large. The center aims to be a cultural hub—empowering youth, providing elder services, and enhancing economic opportunities. It will foster community belonging and move Khmer communities closer to healing and liberation through cultural events, workshops, and educational programs.
IACS Kent Community Center: Indian American Community Services (IACS) is requesting $2 million to fill the remaining gap in funding for their community center. They will begin renovation of Phase I of the Community Center project in Kent, WA. In 2022, IACS purchased a 22,000 sq building, of which 12,000 sq ft is leased to a restaurant. The remaining 10,000 sq ft will be renovated into an inclusive, multigenerational community center serving people of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on cultural connection, education, and essential support services. The project will be developed in two phases.
Solidarity Agenda
In addition to our legislative priorities, APIC supports and uplifts the following legislative and budget items as integral to the health, safety, and well-being of our communities.
We encourage the legislature to support:
Comprehensive K-12 History Instruction for Washington Students (SSB 5574): This legislation ensures Washington students receive accurate and comprehensive instruction in the histories of Asian Americans & Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (AA & NH/PI), Latino Americans, and Black Americans as part of existing United States and Washington state history education. By September 1, 2028, school districts would adopt policies to include this instruction in one or more social studies courses during their regular curriculum review cycle and begin implementation in the 2029-30 school year, when the topic aligns with existing frameworks of U.S. and Washington history. Research shows that comprehensive and historically accurate instruction leads to increased student belonging and safety, improved empathy and civic engagement, reduced bias and stereotyping, and stronger cross-cultural understanding. The adoption of this legislation would be a proactive approach to addressing bullying, racism, and intergroup harm.
Ending the DOC to ICE pipeline: The Department of Corrections (DOC) currently collaborates with federal immigration authorities by placing ICE detainers on incarcerated immigrants and notifying ICE upon their release. Though no legislation currently exists to address this practice, Governor Ferguson could use his executive authority to end DOC information-sharing with ICE – a collaboration that disproportionately harms Southeast Asian communities. These individuals face double punishment after serving their sentences, remaining vulnerable to deportation solely due to their immigration status.
Driver Privacy Act – Common Sense ALPR Regulations: With the expanded use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRS) by local police departments, there have been increasing concerns about the data privacy and surveillance of vulnerable community members. This legislation would limit the usage of ALPRS and ensure accountability and transparency for how they are employed, especially with regard to data access for federal agencies.
Banning All Law Enforcement from Wearing Masks (SB 5855, HB 2173): Being able to identify individual law enforcement officers is essential to holding officers accountable for their actions. This bill would require all law enforcement, including local, state, and federal agents, to have identification and ban them from wearing facial coverings while performing their duties.
Funding for the WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline: The WAISN Hotline provides access to life-saving information, connection to crucial vetted resources, and ensures that families in Washington have somewhere they can call in the face of rampant and unaccountable immigration enforcement that is increasingly violating civil and constitutional rights of all Washingtonians, targeting immigrants and citizens alike.
Voting Justice Bills: There three bill would help ensure transparency and accountability in our electoral process.
1) Preclearance for WVRA: This legislation would mirror the undermined section of the national Voter Registration Act (VRA) which requires preclearance for jurisdictions with a documented history of voting rights violations.
2) VOICES Act: The Washington VOICES Act will make sure that all communities can opt-in to Ranked-Choice Voting. It will also set important standards to ensure voters using RCV will enjoy the same high-quality, accessible voting experience that we are proud of in Washington.
3) Voter Registration Challenges Bill: This bill would empow election officials to efficiently dismiss baseless voter registration challenges and provide fair opportunities for voters to respond
Cumulative Risk Burden Pollution (CURB) Act (HB 1303): This legislation would have the Department of Ecology incorporate environmental justice into the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This ensures that processes like environmental impact assessments properly consider adverse impacts to disproportionately impacted communities, and also consider mitigation methods for environmental impacts.
Statewide Energy Assistance (HB 1903): This legislation would address inequitable energy burdens and access to affordable, clean energy across Washington State.