Legislative District 31, Representative Position 1 — Victoria Mena

Victoria Mena (Courtesy Photo)

What are specific ways you have helped people of color and/or the immigrant community?

I have been an immigrant rights organizer for more than a decade, from local to national work. I am the co-founder of 4 immigrant rights groups, 2 in Florida, 1 in California and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network here in WA. I am currently the Policy Lead for a statewide nonprofit, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, and a Policy Lead for the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network.

What is the biggest legislative priority for communities of color and the immigrant community in the next few years? Do you think there are legislative concerns that are unique to these communities?

Keep Washington Working is a policy that we need passed immediately. It will ensure protections, limit the sharing of information, keep local law enforcement from doing the job of federal immigration agencies.

Healthcare for ALL Washingtonians, and enhanced definitions of hate crimes are other way that we can provide relief to our immigrant and refugee communities.

What are specific ways that the office you seek would affect communities of color and the immigrant community, if you are elected?

I will champion legislation that allows communities of color and immigrant and refugee communities to not just survive, but thrive. I will do this by centering the voices of people most impacted by legislative policies.