Increasing the Minimum Wage is Priority for Black, Latine, Immigrant, and Indigenous Communities
RICHMOND, VA — On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to advance HB1928, the Minimum Wage Bill, sponsored by Delegate Jeion Ward. This bill is one of three key legislative priorities for CASA, an immigration advocacy organization that mobilizes working-class Black, Latine, immigrant, and Indigenous communities.
“The minimum wage bill is a beacon of hope for those facing economic hardship. It offers a path toward reducing financial inequality and ensuring that all Virginia residents, regardless of job title or immigration status, can make ends meet,” said Luis Aguilar, Virginia State Director of CASA. “This bill promotes economic justice and provides opportunities for immigrant workers to build a better future for themselves, their families, and for Virginia.”
The proposed HB1928 would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage from $12.41 per hour to $15, bringing Virginia in line with neighboring states like Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, which have already implemented similar increases. CASA advocates for this change, arguing that it is crucial for providing economic relief to working families and reducing poverty.
The bill’s author, Delegate Jeion Ward (D-Hampton), said, “Today, the Virginia House of Delegates made history by passing the $15 minimum wage bill—a decisive step toward dignity and fairness for our state’s hardworking families. This bill is more than just a wage increase; it is a statement that every person who works hard in Virginia deserves to live with respect, security, and opportunity.” She added, “By raising the minimum wage, we are giving our communities the economic stability they need to thrive and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the American Dream. This is a victory not just for workers, but for the future of Virginia, where we invest in our people to build a stronger, more equitable Commonwealth.”
As discussions about HB1928 continue, CASA member Rosie S., an essential worker in customer service, shared her perspective: “In the field in which I work, this increase has gradually been reflected. It’s good, but it’s not enough, as the cost of living in Virginia is high. For me, the benefits of raising the minimum wage to $15 would be far-reaching—raising wages for millions of workers and helping to reverse decades of growing wage inequality.”
A majority of Virginians consider the cost of living one of the top issues in the commonwealth, according to the 2021 Virginia Ideology Report from Christopher Newport University. The poll also found strong support for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its power building model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. www.wearecasa.org
