Monserrat Padilla, Co-Director, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) and Annie Benson, Senior Directing Attorney, Washington Defender Association (WDA) Immigrant Defense Project were the featured speakers at the well-attended January 21st event at QUUF. Among the many attendees were Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval, Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole, and County Commissioner Greg Brotherton. Padilla and Benson  spoke about the current status of the Keep Washington Working Act passed last year by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee in May of 2019 as well as current legislation that will benefit the immigrant community. (See Legislative Update - Take Action in this newsletter.) ​​

What follows is a list of Washington Legislative bills that are of special importance to the immigrant community and to JCIRA as we continue to support and advocate for immigration rights. We ask that you let your voice be heard on the passage of these bills by contacting our legislative representatives and senator (see contact info below for our 24th Legislative District).

Our goal is that they will all successfully be passed by both the Senate and House this session. This is a short session that is scheduled to end on March 12. For up-to-date information please go to LEG.WA.GOV where you can message the legislature and get automatic updates on bills of interest. You can also find exact language and more detail of each bill.
 
Representative Mike Chapman (D)
Deputy Majority Whip
24 Legislative District
132B Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7916

Representative Steve Tharinger (D)
314 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7904

Senator Kevin Van De Wege (D)
212 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40424
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 - 7646

Note: You can also email them by going to LEG.WA.GOV
​
1) HB 2576/ SB 6442 Title: An act relating to private detention facilities.

Prohibits the operation of a private detention facility in the state by any person, business, or state or local governmental entity. Prohibits any person, business, or state or local governmental entity from entering into anating a private detention facility. Exempts specified facilities and contracts.

Note: The Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, known for its abuse of detained immigrants, is a private detention facility owned and operated by GEO Group on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The renewal of their contract is due in 2025, and if this bill passes, it will not be renewed. For more information on NWDC go to www.nwdcresistance.org
 
2) HB 2567/ SB 6522 Title: Concerning open courts.

Courts Open to All ensures that everyone has their day in court, regardless of immigration status. Immigration agents have been targeting individuals in and around courthouses in Washington. These practices impede due process and access to justice, spreading fear among people, families, and communities. This bill protects all people from warrant-less civil immigration arrests at courts, prohibits court staff and prosecutors from using state and local justice resources to report people for federal immigration enforcement, and requires courts to collect data on immigration agents’ surveillance of courthouses in Washington. These measures build community trust in local courts, prohibit immigration agents from interfering in local court functioning, and preserve access to our courts for everyone.

3) HB 1697 & SB 5814 Title: Apple Health to Age 26: Healthy Youth, Healthy Washington

Access to medical care is a basic necessity of life. When poverty, institutional racism, or immigration status pose barriers to accessing health care, everyone loses. Assuring that Washington’s young people have health care coverage reduces discriminatory barriers to medical care and keeps entire communities healthy. This bill will extend access to Washington’s Apple Health program to youth up to age 26, providing significant benefits to over 17,000 low income youth who are unable to receive federal coverage due to their documentation status. It will provide critical health care coverage for youth living at or near the federal poverty line at a time in life when a health crisis could have a lifelong impact on career, community engagement, and self-sufficiency.
 
4) HB2422 Title: Repealing certain provisions related to civil immigration enforcement.
​
Whenever a person is committed to a state correctional facility, county jail, or any other state or county institution which is supported wholly or in part by public funds, the individual in charge of the facility may inquire into the citizenship or immigration status of the person and may notify federal immigration authorities of the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of a person in custody. The individual in charge of the facility may assist and cooperate with the appropriate federal immigration authority, to include the sharing of the date of and reason for the person's commitment, the length of commitment, the person's country of citizenship, and the date on which and the port at which the person last entered the United States, to the extent consistent with state and local laws.

Note: The intent of this bill is to end the cooperation between ICE/CBP and local and state correctional facilities so that, for example, an immigrant stopped due to a traffic violation does not get released to ICE.

5) SB 6247 and HB 2511 Title:An act providing labor protections for domestic workers.

In addition to general workers’ rights, the legislation also mandates a written agreement between workers and their employers, and expressly prohibits employers from threatening workers with regard to their immigration status. Under the bill, domestic workers could not be fired without proper notice, and the Department of Labor & Industries could investigate complaints and issue penalties. A work group on domestic worker issues would also be established. A hiring entity may not (among other things) communicate to a person exercising the rights of employment in any employment action such as an evaluation, promotion, or termination, or discipline, the intent to inform a government agency of the worker's or family members suspected citizenship or immigration status
​

6) SB 5834 and HB 1779 Title: AN ACT Relating to providing for educational equity regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

For more than thirty years, Plyler v. Doe has ensured equal access to education for children regardless of immigration status. It is important for Washington state to protect its immigrant students and ensure that they have every opportunity to  continue their education without fear or undue risk.

When a federal immigration officer or law enforcement officer working on behalf of a federal immigration agency requests information or access to school grounds, principals, and other school administrators, must direct the officer to the school district superintendent, or the superintendent's designee. The superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, may only provide information or access to the officer after the officer presents a dated, signed judicial warrant. Following the officer's request for information or access, the superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, must report the request for information or access to the school board of directors in a timely manner and in a manner that ensures the confidentiality and privacy of any potentially identifying information.

Note: The intent of this bill is to create a positive school climate in which all students, including immigrant students, educators, and staff feel safe, welcomed, supported, and connected.

​
Information on the bills:

Prohibiting For Profit Prisons (House Bill 2576/Senate Bill 6442):

If approved, this bill would ban all for-profit prisons in Washington State! This would impact the operations of the Northwest Detention Center. Check out the link below for more information on the bill. 

https://crosscut.com/2020/01/washington-could-become-next-state-ban-private-prisons

You can also see the call to action at this link:
 https://www.jcira.org/home/urgent-call-to-action

Courts Open to All Act (House Bill 2567/Senate Bill 6522):  

​Scheduled for executive session today and Wednesday.

If approved, this bill would help prevent warrant-less arrests by ICE and CBP at courthouses in Washington state. Check out the link below for more information on the bill and a phone number and script to call your representatives today. 

https://www.seattleindivisible.com/daily-actions/2020/1/26/keep-ice-out-of-our-courts

​If you have questions about the bills being considered contact WAISN: info@waisn.org 

Watch Video: Here

Take Action:​

1. Donate to the Commissary and the Fair Fight Bond Fund #EndTransDetention Fundraising Campaign
   
2. Mobilize folks on Saturday February 1st from 1:30PM - 3:30PM for the Shutdown Rally Outside NWDC (FB Event HERE) and/or Organize a solidarity day at the Detention Center (1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA 98421)
   
3. Learn more about the #ShutdownNWDC campaign and endorse as an organization or group here. Or, help us spread the word and get other groups to endorse!
   
4. Integrate the Ban Private Prisons Bill (HB 2576 | SB 6442) or other campaign-related activities into your organizational efforts (eg lobby days, member meeting).
   
5. Sign & share this petition as an individual to demand that Tacoma City Council declare NWDC a chronic public nuisance and shut down the detention center once and for all.
   
6. Having a sponsor who is willing to provide housing and support for at least 6 months makes it more likely that an asylum seeker can be released on bond to fight their asylum case with greater access to legal support, medical care, and community. Could you be one of those sponsors? Fill out the sponsor interest form here: https://bit.ly/2rmpu2n
   
7. Support the Leadership of Queer & Trans Black, Indegenous & People of Color Passing Of Knowledge on January 31st from 6PM - 8PM hosted by the Alphabet Alliance of Color @ the Bertha Landes Room at City Hall (600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104)
   

• Call House Leadership to ask for a hearing for HB2576 and for their support of the ban of private prisons (including administrative detention) in Washington State.
• Email Senate Human Services, Reentry, and Rehabilitation Committee Members to ask them to support SB6442. 
• Attend the Senate hearing for SB6442 on January 29th at 8:00am. If you can come on behalf of your organization to support the bill, we ask that you sign in as supporting the bill.

We still don't have a hearing date in the house, and we need to get the bill out of committee by Feb. 7 for it to stay alive! 

Please use the script and contact information below the email signature! **It is important that you follow this script so we are consistent with our messaging.**
 
Thank you for your support!
Coalition Steering Committee
Representing 180+ Organizations
Maru Mora Villalpando & Kelsen Caldwell  
---------------------

Call to Action #1: Contacting House Leadership

We need you to reach out on behalf of your organization to House Leadership expressing your support for the Private Prison Ban Bill (HB2576) and your desire for a hearing. Phone calls to House Speaker Jinkins and any of the reps below are a priority. 

House Leadership Contact InformationSpeaker
Laurie Jinkins (District 27)
laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7930
Legislative Assistant: Ann.Dasch@leg.wa.gov

Majority Leader
Pat Sullivan (District 47)
Pat.Sullivan@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7858
Legislative Assistant: Lesley.Roberts@leg.wa.gov

Majority Caucus Chair
Eric Pettigrew (District 37)
Eric.Pettigrew@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7838
Legislative Assistant: Erika.Odem@leg.wa.gov

Majority Floor Leader
Monica Jurado Stonier (District 49)
Monica.Stonier@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7872
Legislative Assistant: Sarah.Kohout@leg.wa.gov

Majority Whip
Marcus Riccelli (District 3)
marcus.riccelli@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7888
Legislative Assistant: Kylie.Peterson@leg.wa.gov

Deputy Majority Leader
Larry Springer (District 45)
Larry.Springer@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7822
Legislative Assistant: Lacey.Stanage@leg.wa.gov

Majority Caucus Vice Chair
Lillian Ortiz-Self (District 21)
Lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7972
Legislative Assistant: Israel.Rios@leg.wa.gov

Former Speaker of the House
Frank Chopp (District 43)
Frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7920
Legislative Assistant: Daniel.Lugo@leg.wa.gov

Calling Script for Contacting House Leadership
"Hi, is Representative (name) available?"

"My name is (your name), and I'm a representative from (your organization), which is part of a coalition of over 180 organizations that supports a private prison ban in Washington State. As a representative of (your organization), I'm calling to let your office know that we support HB2576, and to ask Representative (rep name) to support the bill and assign a committee hearing date as soon as possible. Can we count on Representative (rep name) to advocate for a committee hearing date and to support the bill?  (*add this if it applies to you, and you can travel to Olympia when there is a hearing*)  Our organization will be attending any hearings and look forward to signing in favor of the bill at the hearing. Thank you!"

Email Template for Contacting House Leadership
Dear (representative name),

I'm a representative from (your organization), which is part of a coalition of over 180 organizations that supports a private prison ban in Washington State. As a representative of (your organization), I'm writing to let your office know that we support HB2576, and to ask Representative (rep name) to support the bill and assign a committee hearing date as soon as possible. Can we count on Representative (rep name) to advocate for a committee hearing date and to support the bill?  (*add this if it applies to you, and you can travel to Olympia when there is a hearing*)  Our organization will be attending any hearings and look forward to signing in favor of the bill at the hearing. Thank you for your support in making Washington State a more just place.

Sincerely,
(your name)
------------

Call to Action #2: Contacting Senate Human Services, Reentry and Rehabilitation Committee Members

We have a Senate hearing for SB6442 on January 29th at 8:00am. Please email Senator Darneille and cc the other committee members showing your organization’s support of the bill. A template email is below (once again, please utilize our talking points and be sure to emphasize this effort is about ending ALL forms of private prisons (including administrative detention) in Washington. And, if you can join us for the hearing on the 29th at 8:00am on behalf of your organization, we ask that you sign in as supporting the bill.

Senate Committee Leadership Contact Information
Committee Chair
Jeannie Darneille 
J.Darneille@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7652

Vice Chair
Joe Nguyen
Joe.Nguyen@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7667

Ranking Member 
Maureen Walsh 
Maureen.Walsh@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7630

Annette Cleveland
Annette.Cleveland@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7696

Steve O'Ban
Steve.OBan@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7654

Claire Wilson
Claire.Wilson@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7658

Hans Zeiger 
Hans.Zeiger@leg.wa.gov
(360)786-7648

Email Template for SB6442
Dear Senator Darneille and Human Services, Reentry and Rehabilitation Committee Members,

I'm a representative from (your organization), which is part of a coalition of over 180 organizations that supports a private prison ban in Washington State. As a representative of (your organization), I'm writing to let your office know that we support SB6442, and to ask for your support of the bill. Can we count on you to support the bill?  (*add this if it applies to you, and you can travel to Olympia when there is a hearing*)  Our organization will be attending the hearing on Jan. 29 and look forward to signing in favor of the bill at the hearing. Thank you for your support in making Washington State a more just place.

Sincerely,
(your name)
----------

Call to Action #3: Attend Senate Hearing on 1/29 at 8:00am 
Come to the Senate Committee Hearing on January 29th at 8:00am and sign in favor of the bill at the hearing (on behalf of your organization).

1) Northwest Immigration News: A December 27 article in the Los Angeles Times reports how "The Northwest turns up the heat on ICE, making it harder to arrest and deport immigrants."  JCIRA believes you'll find this article inspiring, and at the same time, we hope it moves all of us to continue the struggle for immigrant rights with conviction in 2020. 

2.) See Forbes,  "The Most Inspiring Immigration Stories of 2019." 

3) Alejandro Santiago - Latin American Art Gallery: Responsible for the creation of the documentary "Twenty Five Hundred and One", which documents the ambitious project by Alejandro Santiago to populate his village in Oaxaca, Mexico with 2,500 life size ceramic sculptures. The sculptures were created to replace the large number of the people who left the village in order to seek higher paying jobs in the United States.

Seattle, WA – Enrique Ahumada Meza (Mr. Ahumada) settled a lawsuit against the City of Marysville involving two separate occasions in which the City of Marysville unlawfully detained Mr. Ahumada in late 2017 and early 2018. According to the terms of the settlement, the City agreed to pay Mr. Ahumada $85,000 for violating his Fourth Amendment rights by unlawfully detaining him pursuant to a detainer issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In addition, the City has changed its policy to ensure that other immigrants are not unlawfully detained. Mr. Ahumada was represented by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) and McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC in the case. The case was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

State and city law enforcement do not have authority to enforce federal immigration laws and cannot hold immigrants based on a detainer or civil immigration warrant from ICE, unless that detainer is accompanied by a warrant signed by a federal judge. Under its new policy, the City of Marysville will not detain people based on immigration detainers or civil immigration warrants. The policy also reflects recent updates to Washington state law as it sets limits on sharing information with federal authorities, provides for warnings to a detained individual before federal immigration officers can interview a City inmate, and makes clear the prohibitions on notifying immigration authorities about the release of an inmate, among other changes. These changes bring the City’s policy in line with the Keep Washington Working Act, S.B. 5497, which became law last May.

Mr. Ahumada was first detained by the City of Marysville Police Department in December 2017, when officers refused to let Mr. Ahumada go because of an ICE detainer, even though a state court had already ordered his release from custody. Mr. Ahumada was subsequently transferred to ICE custody at the Northwest Detention Center and released on bond in February 2018. After Mr. Ahumada’s release, on February 14, 2018, he turned himself into the Marysville Police Department because his time in immigration detention had caused him to miss a state court hearing. The state court again ordered him released, but the Marysville Police Department unlawfully detained Mr. Ahumada again, this time overnight, based on an ICE detainer. During this second detention, the Department also denied Mr. Ahumada access to critical medication that he must take daily. He was transferred to ICE’s custody on February 15, 2017. ICE then realized he had just bonded out and let him go a second time.

“Every time that I think about what the City of Marysville did to me, it brings up painful memories,” remarked Mr. Ahumada. “But I am glad that the City has changed its policy so that other immigrants like me do not have to suffer the same wrongs and treatment that I experienced.”

“This settlement agreement underscores what federal courts have already made abundantly clear: that local governments are not authorized, and may be held accountable, when they choose to hold someone to enforce civil immigration law,” said Matt Adams, Legal Director for NWIRP.

“At a time when immigrants are being unfairly targeted throughout the United States, it is essential that courts enforce their rights and uphold the rule of law. We are gratified the City of Marysville agreed to change its policy and to compensate Mr. Ahumeda for the mistreatment he endured,” said Avi Lipman and Curtis Isacke of McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC.

A link to the complaint can be found here

A copy of the settlement agreement and new policy can be found here

Media Contact: 
​Matt Adams, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
206-957-8611, matt@nwirp.org