Welcome to the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board Web Site

The Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board was created as a result of Seattle's Immigrant and Refugee Report and Action Plan released in 2007.  With the unprecedented growth in the foreign-born population since the 1980s, Seattle has become an increasingly multi-cultural city, rich with diversity. In keeping with the Race and Social Justice Initiative, the Mayor and City Council want to ensure that city government provides high-quality customer service to all, including immigrants and refugees living and working in Seattle. The Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board will help the city reach its goals.

The duties of the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board include:

• Advising the Mayor, City Council and city departments and offices on ways to enhance and improve access to city services and resources for immigrants and refugees, as well as strengthening opportunities for immigrants and refugees to participate in the civic life of the city;
• Advising the city on the successful implementation of the Immigrant and Refugee Action Plan and on future updates to the plan;
• Advising all city departments and offices in matters affecting immigrants and refugees, as appropriate; and
• Encouraging understanding between and among the various immigrant and refugee communities and the larger Seattle community.

Reflecting the diversity of Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities, the board will have 15 members (eight appointed by  the Mayor and seven appointed by the City Council). Board members will be appointed to one-or two-year terms, with the option of reappointment for another term.

To read the City Ordinance that established the board, please click here.

To read the Immigrant and Refugee Report and Action Plan that called for the establishment of an Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Board, click here.  To return to the main Immigrant and Refugee page click here.