Seattle Program Empowers Immigrant Communities Amidst Rising Enforcement Actions

Seattle continues to live up to its reputation as a Welcoming City—not just in name, but in action. Under increasing pressure from recent federal directives targeting immigrant and refugee communities, the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is responding head-on. In alignment with the Seattle City Council’s recent “Welcoming City” resolution, which commits the city to serve residents regardless of immigration status, OIRA is launching the Immigrant Rapid Response Program to fill urgent and growing needs.

Funded through a $240,000 reallocation from the New Citizen Campaign, this responsive program was crafted in close collaboration with frontline partners and directly reflects community-identified priorities. Providers and families called for expanded access to legal counsel, “know-your-rights” education, supportive safety structures, and the reliable tracking of enforcement activity. OIRA answered by assembling a network of eight trusted local organizations: Council on American-Islamic Relations – Washington (CAIR-WA), Catholic Immigration Legal Services (CCSWW-CILS), Colectiva Legal del Pueblo (CLP), Entre Hermanos (EH), Horn of Africa Services (HOAS), Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC), Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), and Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN).

This coalition offers a robust suite of services. The Deportation Defense Hotline (1‑844‑724‑3737, Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.), operated by WAISN, allows community members to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activity. Designed as an accountability tool, the Hotline documents enforcement interactions and connects callers to more than 1,400 local resources—including legal providers, food banks, and shelters.

For families preparing for worst-case scenarios, the Immigrant Safety Plan workshops led by LCYC and CLP provide structured guidance. Participants receive help designating temporary caregivers, organizing essential documents, and drafting instructions for child care in the event of parental detention or deportation. Volunteer training sessions aim to allow this planning to reach as many households as possible.

Immigration policy changes and enforcement strategies often arrive suddenly. OIRA and its partners will offer up to 10 hours of free legal consultations to low-income Seattle residents facing challenges related to removal defense, visa or parole issues, travel bans, or legal filings. CAIR-WA, CCSWW-CILS, CLP, EH, and HOAS will deploy licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited staff who can complete application forms and provide legal guidance—helping community members make informed decisions at their most vulnerable moments.

In addition to legal defense services, “Know Your Rights” workshops tailored to immigrant workers and small-business owners will educate participants on how to stay safe during any interactions with enforcement officers. OIRA has already partnered with the Seattle Office of Economic Development to host two such sessions. Community partners will continue to take requests to deliver this messaging throughout the city.

To support service providers in turn, NWIRP is collaborating with OIRA on Policy Information Sessions that explain new federal regulations and how they may affect local communities. An April 3 briefing at the Seattle Public

Library, led by OIRA Director Hamdi Mohamed and Legal Policy Specialist Oksana Bilobran, drew over 200 service providers. A video recording is available for those who could not attend.

Together, these initiatives represent a timely, community-led response to a shifting federal context. By combining legal assistance, community education, family preparedness, and ongoing policy updates, the Rapid Response Program addresses immediate needs while fostering long-term resilience. It also reinforces Seattle’s message that immigration status should never determine the quality of support a family receives.

The integrated structure—legal, educational, preparatory—ensures that support does not arrive in silos but in a coordinated network of trusted partners. When individuals across Seattle dial the Hotline or attend a workshop, they tap into a system committed to confidentiality, trust, and jurisdictional awareness. The program is intended to meet people where they are—linguistically, culturally, and emotionally—as enforcement actions increase.

OIRA’s prioritization of participatory design reflects the community’s desire for interventions that are both meaningful and culturally appropriate. By foregrounding immigrant voices and placing services in the hands of deeply trusted local organizations, the city seeks to not only respond but also empower communities in moments of fear and uncertainty.

At its core, the Rapid Response Program seeks to balance the unpredictability of federal enforcement with the cradle of local dignity and protection. It reassures residents that Seattle will not only welcome them but also stand guard over their rights. By layering immediate, tangible support—legal aid, Hotline reporting, family plans, emergency workshops—with strategic policy briefings for frontline staff, OIRA will help anchor Seattle’s immigrant communities in a fast-shifting environment.

According to officials, the launch of this program marks a critical moment in Seattle’s commitment to its immigrant and refugee residents. It also provides a replicable model for cities seeking to defend fundamental human rights amid broader uncertainty. In mobilizing community-based legal, educational, and civic support infrastructure, OIRA and its partners are sending a clear message: Seattle’s Welcoming City identity is more than symbolic—it is operationalized through action, rooted in solidarity, and sustained through real-world programs that protect and preserve immigrant well-being.