SEATTLE — A new law went into effect Monday, July 1 that allows undocumented immigrants to apply for professional licenses.
It's thanks partially to the hard work of the Communities for Our Colleges coalition - a non-profit that advocated for the bill.
Four women from the coalition have spent the last year testifying and sharing their stories. On July 1, as the new law went into effect, they felt a layer of certainty for their futures.
"I wasn't sure if I should go along with dental hygienist, because I wasn't sure at the end of the tunnel if I was going to be able to even do the career," Maria Barrios said.
Prior to the passing of House Bill 1889, career paths including real estate agents, home inspectors, to athletic trainers and music therapists were closed off to undocumented immigrants without social security numbers. Jobs like private investigators and notary publics were also reserved only for United States citizens and lawful residents.
Now with HB 1889 becoming law, students like Barrios can continue pursuing her future.
"It has given me the ability to push myself to be able to become a dental hygienist in the end, and tell other people who are undocumented students to not give up on their dreams and continue because things do change," Barrios said.
Leslie Jimenez chimed in on why undocumented folks should be given the opportunity to apply for professional licenses.
"Mostly because we're individuals that contribute to the country and specifically Washington's economy," she said.
Adding more people to Washington's workforce was a big inspiration for Democratic representative Amy Walen to chief sponsor the bill. She represents Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond and surrounding areas.
"It was an important bill for my district because we're very diverse, the 48th Legislative District has a lot of immigrants working in the tech community, but many of their family members are very qualified to do all kinds of things in their home countries," Walen said. "And to have them be able to participate in the economy is exciting to me."
The law also makes it illegal for state licensing agencies to disclose social security or tax payer identity numbers, further protecting those without immigration status.
"There's always been that fear of like-- what happens if the worst [happens]," Dafne Pinon said. "But it's definitely been a fear I've always had and still have to this day, but obviously like, putting that aside, I know I still need to fight for my dreams and make the sacrifices that my parents did, worth it."
The law does not provide any pathway to citizenship. Instead of using social security numbers, undocumented workers can apply using their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, acquired through the IRS.
To see a full list of licenses now eligible for application without social security numbers, you can find the full bill below: