Resources

Links to other helpful services and programs for immigrants and refugees

If you are looking for more information about the City of Seattle Legal Defense Fund for Immigrants and Refugees, go to this page.

Other immigration legal assistance resources and Know Your Rights information

An immigration bond is paid to the U.S. government to secure the release of a detained immigrant. The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Fair Fight Immigrant Bond Fund provides bond money for low-income individuals detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (formerly named the "Northwest Detention Center") in Tacoma, Washington. Learn more about the fund and about immigration bonds here.

We recommend going to our DACA information page here.

The WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Reporting Hotline is now live. The hotline runs 7-days-a-week, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM and will allow people to report when loved ones or friends have been detained by immigration agents or other instances of problematic behavior conduct by immigration officials.

TO REPORT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY ANYWHERE IN WASHINGTON, DIAL: 1-844-RAID-REP (1-844-724-3737).

For assistance applying for U.S. citizenship, go here.

 

What to do if your citizenship application is delayed:

You can check the status of your application by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hotline at 1 (800) 375-5283. If you have your receipt notice, you can check your status online at the USCIS website.

You can also contact your local Senator or Congressional Representative. A Privacy Waiver is required in order to receive assistance.

If you are unsure whom your Congressional representative is, you can use this online tool to find out.

Other citizenship resources:

Local refugee resettlement agencies serving Washington State*:

*NOTE: some of the above organizations are able to assist asylum-seekers.

Refugee and asylum-seeker assistance agencies:

Government agencies assisting refugees:

1. Computer & Internet basics
2. Email
3. Facebook
4. Using the library's catalog
5. Downloading e-books and audiobooks
6. Microsoft Office or other software questions

For first-time home buyers:

For renters:

City of Seattle Utility Discount Program
Offers a discount of about 60% on your Seattle City Light bill and a 50% discount on your Seattle Public Utilities bill for eligible customers.

Employment assistance:

  • Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
    Promotes economic self-sufficiency by providing immigrant and refugee job-seekers with skills training and placement and retention services, including job readiness training, ESL, and computer classes. 
  • Casa Latina
    Utilizes a day worker center model to help Latino immigrants move from economic insecurity to economic prosperity. Also offers ESL classes.
  • El Centro de la Raza
    Provides support to low-income Latinos, immigrants, and limited English speakers interested in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in maritime, construction trades, or green career industries. 
  • Neighborhood House
    Connects unemployed and underemployed immigrants and refugees with employment and opportunities to build critical skills, including wrap-around case management and ESL classes. 
  • Port Jobs
    Provides individualized support, relevant training, and job application assistance for individuals seeking employment at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). 
  • Puget Sound Training Center
    Provides industry-specific career training and employment services to immigrants and refugees, including Forklift Operator Training, Warehouse Career Training Program, First Aid/CPR, and a Computer Training Program.
  • Puget Sound Welcome Back Center
    Supports internationally educated professionals re-enter the job market in their field of study.
  • Ready to Work
    Combines English as a Second Language (ESL) classes with computer literacy instruction and case management to help immigrants living in Seattle gain job readiness skills and take steps toward economic self-sufficiency.
  • Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA)
    Provides employment case management and job readiness training to unemployed and underemployed refugees and immigrants. Also offers ESL classes. 
  • Seattle Goodwill
    Offers career exploration classes for English language learners, a Cashiering and Customer Service program, and other job training and education services. 
  • Tri-County Refugee Planning Committee 
    Maintains an overall list of local service providers with employment assistance programs for refugees and immigrants. 
  • WorkSource 
    A statewide partnership of local and nonprofit agencies providing employment and training services, including job boards, workshops, and hiring events. 

Labor laws assistance:

  • Seattle Office of Labor Standards
    Charged with implementing the City's labor standards for Minimum Wage, Paid Sick and Safe Time, Wage Theft, Fair Chance Employment (limiting the use of conviction and arrest records in employment decisions), and other work place-related laws that the City may enact in the future.
  • Fair Work Center
    In various languages, offers resources outlining employee rights, conducts Know Your Rights workshops, helps workers navigate city, state, and federal government agencies, and provides free legal clinics for workers to seek advice about potential workplace violations.

Financial assistance:

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) classes

  • Casa Latina
    Program participants learn essential communication skills that are key to obtaining long-term employment and to be civically engaged in the community.
  • Highline Colleges
    Classes that improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, and technology/academic skills in order to be successful in college and in the workplace.
  • Literacy Source
    Free, small group classes and one-to-one tutoring for ESOL students levels 1-5.
  • OneAmerica
    English Innovations is an educational model that facilitates inclusive, social learning for immigrant adults who would otherwise not be accessing ESL programs. The model is comprised of three core components: English Language Acquisition, Digital Literacy Instruction, and Community Engagement.
  • ReWA
    Employment-related English classes (ESL, ELL) to help individuals transition to life in the U.S. and secure long-term employment.
  • St. James Immigrant Assistance
    ESL tutoring offers individualized instruction tailored to people's immediate and specific needs.
  • Seattle Colleges
    Their Basic and Transitional Studies program can help learners of all levels, providing the education needed to prepare for college and career readiness.
  • Seattle Goodwill
    Classes at basic and intermediate levels for people who want to develop basic English literacy and improve language skills for the workplace.
  • Seattle Public Library
    Offers free classes for practicing English skills for daily life, work, and citizenship.
  • Shoreline College
    Six levels of ESL classes that are available in the day and evening, which help students improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Two academic levels available in the daytime that prepare students to enter our college level classes or professional technical programs.
  • USA Learns
    USA Learns is a free website that helps adults learn English online for free by providing videos and educational activities. Individuals can learn English independently or with the support of their teacher.

Education assistance/Scholarships

  • FindARide.org
    This online transportation database search tool offers information on a number of transportation resources in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
  • Hopelink Medicaid Transportation Program
    The nonprofit organization Hopelink provides Medicaid holders with multiple ways of reaching their medical appointments in King and Snohomish County. Clients can receive gas reimbursement, ORCA cards, and door-to-door pickup or drop off services (often, wheelchair-accessible vehicle services). Long-range transportation is also available.
  • King County Metro ORCA LIFT Program
    A low-fare transit card for income-eligible individuals.

Community Living Connections is a service provided by Seattle Human Services Department's Aging and Disability Services division that is both a call center and provider network available to older people, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and others who have aging or disability issues and who live in Seattle/King County. Call toll-free (844) 348-5464. Calls are confidential, professional, and free of charge.

Translated information available below:

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.