HB1889 allows individuals to obtain professional licenses and certifications in Washington State regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. Applicants can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. The law removes U.S. citizenship requirements for certain professions, such as notaries and bail bond agents.
The Washington State Senate passed HB1889 on February 27, 2024 by a vote of 41 to 8. We have assigned pluses to the nays because individuals who enter the United States illegally—by definition a criminal act—should not be granted residency or sanctuary in Washington, much less access to professional licenses. This undermines the rule of law and incentivizes further illegal immigration, taking jobs away from American citizens.