ANNOUNCEMENTS / NEWS

NWIRP's Tacoma office is hiring a bilingual (Spanish) attorney: NWIRP seeks a Spanish‐speaking bilingual attorney to work with individuals detained at the Northwest Detention Center, a regional immigration detention facility that houses up to 1,575 detainees. The attorney will be providing legal representation and assistance to individuals in removal proceedings. Click here to see all job openings.

NWIRP is hiring a Development and Administrative Associate: We seek an organized, detailed oriented and experienced data manager to join our team as our new Development and Administrative Associate! Come stand with us in advancing one of the most important human rights issues of our era. We seek a team player to accelerate the organization’s fundraising success and institutional integrity through support of development efforts and the Executive Director. Click here to read the full job description.

Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement in National Class Action Lawsuit on Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers: On May 8, 2013, a federal district court issued an order preliminarily approving a settlement agreement in a nationwide class action lawsuit that challenged the denial of work authorization to asylum seekers who have been waiting six months or more for a decision on their asylum applications. Read the notice to class members and press release.

Vulnerable Immigrants in Deportation Proceedings Unable to Represent Themselves Must Get Counsel and a Hearing: “We are so pleased that, after three years of hard-pressed litigation, we have achieved a milestone of this significance--appointed counsel for one of the most vulnerable populations detained by the government,” said Michael H. Stenberg, co-lead counsel in a case won today on behalf of people in deportation proceedings that are unable to represent themselves in court due to mental disability. Read the press release.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to Recognize Regional Leaders: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project will celebrate 29 years of fighting for justice for immigrants and refugees at an anniversary dinner and fundraiser Friday, April 26 at the Westin Seattle. Read the press release.

Class Action Lawsuit Forces Policy Change to Protect Detained Immigrants with Serious Mental Disabilities: A class action lawsuit brought on by NWIRP, ACLU of Southern California and others, saw action today in the form of protection for people held in detention facilities who have serious mental health issues. Before this time, Immigration Customs Enforcement had not even begun to develop procedures to identify detainees with mental disabilities, and such individuals were forced to defend themselves in court. "Finally all sides seem to acknowledge that persons with severe disabilities need legal representation to have any chance at a fair hearing..." said Matt Adams, NWIRP Legal Director. Read the press release.

Community Advisory Regarding Proposals for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation: On April 17, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced proposed legislation to reform our immigration system. Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is encouraged that our political leaders recognize some of the serious flaws with our immigration system and the urgent need for reform. Because we are aware that this and other legislative proposals can lead to confusion about what is actually happening to immigration law, NWIRP would like to remind community members of the following... Click here to read more

Agreement Reached in National Class Action Lawsuit on Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers: The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have agreed to settle a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging the denial of work authorization to asylum seekers who have been waiting six months or more for a decision on their asylum applications. If approved, this agreement will help ensure that asylum seekers are not prevented from working and supporting their families while the government decides their cases. Read the press release.

UW Report: Collaboration between King County jails and ICE results in unfair and costly impact: A study released today shows that collaboration between King Co. jails and ICE results in unfair and costly community impact - community members paying a terrible human cost that cannot be quantified. Read the press release.

Breaking News: Border Patrol Policy Change Important Victory for Border Communities: Breaking News: Important victory for border communities! Read the press release.

Federal Judge Rules that Lawsuit Against Border Patrol Actions on Olympic Peninsula May Move Forward: On Monday, August 27, 2012, Federal Judge Benjamin Settle issued an order denying the government’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit targeting unlawful U.S. Border Patrol actions in the Olympic Peninsula. The lawsuit, filed by NWIRP and ACLU-WA, seeks to end the Border Patrol’s practice of stopping vehicles and interrogating occupants without legal justification. Read the press release.

Community Advisory Regarding Deferred Action for DREAMers: NWIRP has released an advisory to help community members understand President Obama's recent announcement that his administration will be granting deferred action to some undocumented youth who came to the United States when they were children. Read the advisory here.