Immigration

First Small Victory Achieved Over Immigration Ban at Sea-Tac

| Posted in In the News

Washington politicians are demanding answers after the weekend scuffle over immigration at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Suzan DelBene, governor Jay Inslee, and other officials were quick to denounce president Donald Trump’s immigration ban from seven Muslim-majority countries after two men—from Yemen and Sudan—were…

DelBene: We Must Rescind Trumps Reckless Executive Order a Cruel Targeting of Individuals Based on Religion, Nationality

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today joined colleagues in introducing the SOLVE Act to rescind President Trump’s executive order, which halted the resettlement of refugees and suspended admission of citizens of predominately Muslim countries. “President Trump’s irresponsible executive order has created chaos and fear across the world. This is what happens when the…

DelBene demands answers after rebuff at SeaTac Airport following Trumps immigration and refugee executive orders

| Posted in In the News

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today wrote to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeking an explanation for why so little information was communicated to members of Congress during her visit to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) on Saturday. DelBene went to the airport on Jan. 28, after learning individuals traveling to Washington with visas were detained at…

Seattle braces for another night of immigration ban protests

| Posted in In the News

Sea-Tac officials are expecting another wave of protests Sunday night, following massive crowds on Saturday.  A rally is planned for Westlake Park on Sunday, from 5 to 8 p.m., against the president's ban on refugees and immigrants from select Muslim countries. A few thousand are expect to gather in downtown Seattle Sunday evening, but some believe that people will also be gathering…

DelBene Demands Answers after Rebuff at SeaTac Airport

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today wrote to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeking an explanation for why so little information was communicated to members of Congress during her visit to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) on Saturday. DelBene went to the airport on Jan. 28, after learning individuals traveling to Washington with visas were detained at…

Reps. DelBene and Jayapal Hail Judicial Orders Keeping Immigrants From Being Turned Away

| Posted in Press Releases

SEATTLE – Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Suzan DelBene hailed Western District of Washington judge Thomas S. Zilly’s temporary restraining order, along with a stay issued by a New York judge, which has kept two immigrants in limbo at Seattle-Tacoma airport from being turned away and sent back to their countries of origin. “This executive order was inhumane and…

DelBene discusses No Religious Registry Act and more with interfaith leaders

| Posted in In the News

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene glanced around the table on Tuesday afternoon at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) and told the eight interfaith leaders that these are challenging times. DelBene, a Democrat who represents Washington’s First Congressional District, was glad to be connecting with the leaders at the Redmond mosque, but wished it was under more pleasant…

Senator Patty Murray, Dems, Introduce Bill to Block Muslim Immigrant Registry

| Posted in In the News

Yep, this is what it's come to: Washington State's Senator Patty Murray and a coalition of other Senate Democrats have introduced a bill to block the creation of a federal registry based on religion, ethnicity, race, age, gender, national origin, nationality, or citizenship. The "Protect American Families Act" would block draconian actions from the president-elect should Trump's…

Rep. DelBene calls for immigration reform after high courts deadlock decision

| Posted in In the News

Following the Supreme Court’s tie vote halting President Obama’s immigration plan to safeguard millions from deportation, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene on Wednesday called on Congress to look for a more permanent solution. OneAmerica, an immigrant-advocacy group, organized a roundtable discussion Wednesday at El Centro de la Raza in Beacon Hill, and featured DelBene along with…

A Full Plate For Washington Agriculture: Labor Needs, Visa And Immigration Reform

| Posted in In the News

The national trend in agriculture is an unsettling one, and hits close to home in Washington state. Despite growing demand for output, there are not enough workers to fill the jobs. The federal H-2A visa program for temporary or seasonal agricultural workers does not serve industries like dairy well, which require a year-round workforce. Nor does it help meet the shorter-term employment…