Press Release: Gov. Inslee Signed Expanded Access to Professional Licenses for All Immigrants

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Contact: Fernando Mejia Ledesma | fernando@juststrategy.org

Communities for Our College Campaign: Gov. Inslee Signed Expanded Access to Professional Licenses for All Immigrants

Today, Governor J. Inslee signed SHB 1889 into law. This bill expands access to professional licenses to all immigrants in WA state. Students, faculty, and staff members at various community & technical colleges rallied together around this proposal.

SHB 1889 will allow an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States to apply for a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit, or registration as permitted by federal law. An applicant is permitted to provide an Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number in lieu of a Social Security number on an application.

This is meaningful for many of our students leaders including Maria Barrios who said that “HB 1889 is a big win for all people striving for professional licenses and certifications, regardless of immigration or citizenship status; it’s a moment that brings us together, making us feel empowered and united as one community.”

Lina Ulloa also said that “HB 1889 significa para mi oportunidad; ha alegrado enormemente mi corazón porque veo la esperanza de poder estudiar y ser un ejemplo para mi hijo, poder ejercer mi carrera acá en Estados Unidos, y saber que toda la inversión económica y tiempo que hice en mi carrera en mi pais Colombia no fue perdida porque puedo seguir desarrollando mis habilidades y seguir avanzando y creciendo como persona. Para mi HB 1889 es cumplir sueños.”

This effort was supported by many stakeholders including: Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, the Racial Equity Team, the Washington Bus, the Latino Community Fund, OneAmerica, the Washington State Labor Council, the American Federation of Teachers-WA, Mi Centro, the Washington Student Association, Equity in Education Coalition, State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, Post Secondary Basic Needs Coalition, Communities of Color Coalition, Washington State Budget & Policy Center, Poder Latinx, Faith Action Network, Washington Student Achievement Council, UW Leadership Without Borders, UW’s Ethnic Studies Department, and many more.