Patty was born and raised in Bothell, Washington where she grew up with her parents and six siblings—including a twin sister. Her father managed a Main Street 5 and 10 cent store, where she worked growing up and first learned the value of strong work ethic. When Patty was a young teenager, her father—a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient—was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and in a few short years, his illness got so bad he could no longer work. Patty’s mother, who had stayed home to raise their family, had to take care of him while also working to support their family. She found some work, but it didn’t pay enough to support Patty and her six brothers and sisters—and a husband with growing medical bills. Thankfully, they lived in a country where the government didn’t just say “you’re on your own.”
Immigrants are an important part of our communities in Washington state and around the country, making valuable contributions to every aspect of American life. But because of our country’s broken immigration system, men, women, and children are forced to live in the shadows as Americans in all but name. Families and businesses alike are trapped in a broken system that isn’t working for anyone.
Senator Murray believes we need to adopt immigration reform legislation that offers a fair pathway to citizenship for the more than 11 million undocumented residents living here, including Dreamers, farmworkers, those with temporary protected status, and the many essential, undocumented workers who do so much to keep our country running, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is working to bring dignity and humanity to our immigration system—from protecting the health and safety of immigrant workers, to recognizing and bolstering America’s historical commitment to refugees, promoting immigration as an integral part of our communities, and more.