Seattle Legal Defense Network

Have you or someone you know received a notice from immigration court or been detained by ICE?

If you are in need of immigration legal services and cannot pay for them, the Seattle Legal Defense Network may be able to help.

To see if you are eligible for free legal services, call one of these organizations:

FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS IN SUPPORT OF LEGAL SERVICES

To qualify for FREE Legal Defense Network assistance, you must:

  • Be an immigrant in detention, facing deportation, or at risk because of your immigration status;
  • Currently live, work, or attend school located within the boundaries of the city of Seattle; AND
  • Have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level.

  

2023 Outcomes

As a result of LDN partners' work in 2023:

  • Over 160 people received full direct representation in legal immigration cases each quarter of the year;
  • 120 clients received limited legal services, such as in-depth legal consultation or assistance with immigration forms;
  • 49 clients received assistance with pro se asylum application;
  • 49 people obtained work authorization; 
  • 56 people obtained permanent or temporary immigration status; 
  • Our partners filed for relief on behalf of their LDN clients 164 times and attended 44 court hearings and USCIS interview.
  • Forms of relief filed for: 
    • Termination of removal proceedings
    • Asylum
    • Withholding of Removal
    • Relief under Convention Against Torture
    • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
    • U Visa
    • Cancellation of Removal 

2022 Outcomes

As a result of LDN partners' work in 2022:

      • In each quarter of 2022 over 160 people received full direct representation in legal immigration cases, including:  
        • Termination of removal proceedings 
        • Asylum 
        • Withholding of Removal 
        • Relief under Convention Against Torture 
        • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status 
        • U Visa 
        • Cancellation of Removal 
      • 48 new unaccompanied minors received full direct representation in immigration proceedings; 
      • 73 new people enrolled in the new Dedicated Docket program at the Seattle Immigration Court received limited legal services including in-depth screening, legal advice and pro se form assistance; 
      • 52 people obtained work authorization; 
      • 66 people obtained permanent or temporary immigration status; 
      • Our partners attended 140 court hearings and USCIS interview to represent their LDN clients.

 

2021 Outcomes

As a result of LDN partners' work in 2021:

      • 159 eligible community members received limited legal services, including in-depth assessments, consultations and pro se legal assistance.
      • 178 people received full direct representation in legal immigration cases, including:
        • Termination of removal proceedings
        • Asylum
        • Withholding of Removal
        • Relief under Convention Against Torture
        • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
        • U Visa
        • Cancellation of Removal
      • 35 people obtained work authorization
      • 21 people obtained permanent or temporary immigration status
      • 6 people were released from immigration detention

 

Banner photo credit: Alabastro Photography.

Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

Hamdi Mohamed, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 1616, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94573, Seattle, WA, 98124
Phone: (206) 727-8515
oira@seattle.gov

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The mission of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is to improve the lives of Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities by engaging them in decisions about the City of Seattle’s future and improving the City’s programs and services to meet the needs of all constituents.