We hope you and your loved ones are having a good holiday season. Our staff, board, and dedicated volunteers are working hard to prepare for the next presidential administration, which will begin next month. As part of this work, we have created or updated several resources for the community and are excited to share these with you in our final newsletter of both 2024 and our 40th anniversary.
These resources are of course just a small part of our ongoing work to defend and advance immigrant rights. We have done this work for decades before President Trump’s first term, and we will continue to do so long after he has left office. Just as we did when he was last in office, we will continue to challenge the unlawful actions his administration takes to tear families apart, undo decades of life-affirming immigration policies, and divide this country and its people based on the color of their skin, the country of their birth, the language they speak, the size of their wallet, and the faith they hold. Of course, none of this would be possible without your support. If you haven’t already recently had the opportunity to make a donation in support of NWIRP, please consider doing so today.
A Comprehensive Video Series for Asylum Seekers
We have partnered with the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to create a new series of informational videos and PowerPoint slideshows for asylum seekers living in Washington State to help them navigate the immigration court and asylum process.
These videos were funded by OIRA and created by staff members from our Asylum and Removal Defense Units. They are available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. These languages were prioritized given that we have seen an increase in asylum seekers in our region who have migrated from Angola, Venezuela, and Congo.
We encourage you to help share these videos with asylum seekers directly or with advocates, service providers, and other colleagues who work with people who could find them useful.
Know Your Rights Resources In preparation for the incoming Presidential Administration, we have updated our Know Your Rights resources page on our website. When the government arrests or tries to arrest someone, or when a government official or police officer “just wants to talk,” every person in the United States has certain basic rights. These rights apply to everyone, regardless of citizenship – and regardless of who is President. Be familiar with your rights, and help protect others by informing them of their rights with these fliers. We are thankful to our partners at the ACLU, NILC, WAISN, Mijente, and LCYC for allowing us to share their resources alongside our own for the benefit of the community.
Post-Election Community Update
Last month, we hosted a webinar sharing our response to the Presidential election, providing important information on the rights of community members and their loved ones, how Washington State is uniquely prepared to protect immigrant rights, and answering questions from attendees.
Community Outreach Requests
In anticipation of the challenges and attacks our client communities will face with the change in the presidential administration and understanding that sharing correct information and staying on top of policy updates is crucial, we established a NWIRP Community Outreach Unit earlier this year. Community education is a NWIRP pillar. And while this component of our work has existed for over four decades, we are now expanding and focusing our work to better address this need. Our outreach team provides resources, education, and training—such as Know Your Rights and Immigration 101 presentations—to community members, s
Join Our Team
We seek to hire individuals with a demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and a passion for serving immigrants and refugees in need of legal services. If you feel that your qualifications fit the description for a position listed below, we invite you to send us a résumé and cover letter for review. All of these positions can be viewed at this link.
Bilingual Staff Attorney, Wenatchee Office
Receptionist/ Front Desk Coordinator, Seattle Office
Rural Immigrant Justice Attorney, Granger or Wenatchee Office
Temporary Bilingual Legal Advocate, Unaccompanied Children Program, Tacoma Office
Law Student Internship, Seattle, Tacoma, Granger and Wenatchee Offices
Thank you very much for your continued support. We are grateful to count you as a partner in our work.
Happy holidays!
With gratitude,
Malou Chávez (she/her/ella)
Executive Director
