Press Releases

Mayor announces director of Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
Magdaleno Rose-Avila to serve as first director of new office

SEATTLE – Mayor Mike McGinn announced today the appointment of Magdaleno Rose-Avila as director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. He has served as executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, of Social Justice Fund NW, and served as a regional director of Amnesty International. Rose-Avila will begin work on June 1.

"Magdaleno Rose-Avila brings extensive experience working with diverse immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color to this position," said McGinn. "His experience from working for many years on human rights will be an asset as we launch this office to help make life better for this vital part of our community."

"I welcome this most important opportunity and responsibility for this office," said Rose-Avila. "I look forward to working with the immigrant and refugee communities and all those who believe that they can build a vision of hope for all people in our city. Seattle has the opportunity to lead by example, dream the impossible, and work to make it a reality."

The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs was created last fall to help the City of Seattle better meet the needs of Seattle's immigrant and refugee communities. The office will improve how the City engages these communities in policy making and service delivery. It will help address injustices and disparities related to education, jobs, health and access to opportunity.

Rose-Avila was selected after an interview process that included a panel of community members whose work touches the immigrant and refugee community, City managers and the Mayor's Office. Rose-Avila will serve as its first director and will report directly to McGinn.

Rose-Avila's salary will be $96,000. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council.

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