Immigration /
Race Justice Group
An Action Group of North Central Washington
OUR MISSION
Within the context of NCW, the Immigration/Racial Justice Group endeavors to accompany and provide support for our immigrant community through Education, Direct Support, and Advocacy.
It is critical for our group to be aware of the current local, state, and national political climate. We also need to be attentive to the resources that can inform us regarding issues of cultural self –awareness and the dynamics of intolerance and racism. As part of our work, we will also work at conveying that which we learn and accomplish with the larger NCWU group as well as our community at large.
We will be attentive to our immigrant community’s diverse needs for support and safety and work towards addressing those issues.
Realizing that the systemic shortcoming regarding immigration and race are in the Olympia and D.C. halls of power, we will ally with local, state, and national agencies which can engage and advocate for justice, compassion, and equity.
RESOURCES:
EQUIPPING & EMPOWERING THOSE WHO NEED IT
There exists in our valley an increased level of fear overshadowing our immigrant neighbors. The real threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity is significantly affecting these families, especially the children who never know for sure if their parents will be apprehended while they are in school.
One of our goals currently is to provide an “Immigrant Family Support and Safety” packet for families, business’, and community organizations intended to help families and employers prepare for the eventuality of a raid or individual apprehension. Other documents have also been prepared and are listed below.
In addition, the IRJG has also prepared a Community Rapid Response Plan in the event of a mass raid or family apprehension in order to provide safety, security, and essential needs for those who remain.
Finally, realizing that many of our immigration issues are the consequences of systemic and institutionalized racism, we provide a Building Bridges workshop described further below.
Plan Ahead for ICE Activity
Documents for families at risk, businesses, schools and others that want to be knowledgeable about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity follow:
(for business and property managers, please see "What to do if..."):
BUILDING BRIDGES WORKSHOP
Building Bridges of Understanding: An Introductory Workshop on Cultural Self-awareness and the Dynamics of Intolerance and Racism.
This engaging and interactive workshop is nine hours in length and is available for your organization, institution, or community leaders. Also adapted for congregations/synagogues and faith-based organizations.
REPORTING
Reporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Activity:
Reporting ICE activity alerts teams of volunteers and legal advocates to respond in a timely fashion to support and protect immigrants. Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network recently launched a volunteer staffed hotline (7 days a week between 6 AM and 9 PM) to report detentions and other immigration activities, whether it be a large raid or an individual apprehension such as a parent getting apprehended while waiting at their child’s school. Volunteers will document details about the activity and will quickly relay the information to the appropriate teams.
To report ANY ICE activity in Washington state:
CALL WA Immigration Activity Hotline 1-844-RAID-REP (1-844-724-3737) (Spanish/English)
If ICE activity occurs in the Leavenworth area:
CALL the above Hotline AND (509-888-4856) and/or (se habla español - 509-548-7012) to activate our local Community Response Plan.
