JCIRA: HISTORY

learn about jcira's history

The Beginnings
JCIRA's roots go back long before we became a formal 501c(3) nonprofit organization in 2017. As early as 2007, a small group of Jefferson County residents began working on immigration issues. What prompted this response?

Border Patrol (BP) agents were picking up people on the streets and taking them to their office in Port Angeles. Sometimes they were released. Often, they were not. They were transferred to the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, a privately run for-profit prison.
BP trucks were parked outside of schools in Forks, instilling terror in local immigrants.
Greyhound buses on the Seattle-Port Angeles route were randomly stopped by the Border Patrol, questioning those on board about their citizenship status.

BP agents were monitoring the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route, attempting to locate immigrants.

Port Townsend residents and activists responded by:

Organizing a large gathering in Chimacum in November 2007. Between 300-400 people attended the meeting, moderated by Scott Wilson, editor/publisher of the Port Townsend Leader, with speakers from the ACLU, the Border Patrol office in Blaine, and others.

Producing a video “Keep the Border Patrol on the Border,” which featured Father John Topel of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Port Townsend, along with John Nash of Nash Farms, and actual accounts from those who had been stopped by the Border Patrol. Presented in English with Spanish subtitles, the video was included on a Facebook page for several years and is still available for viewing on request.

Conducting a large public meeting at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which featured Jorge Baron, executive director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project; Annie Benson, Seattle immigration lawyer; and Father John Topel.

With the negotiation of an agreement between the ACLU and the Border Patrol to address the violations of Constitutional rights and racial profiling, BP activities were reduced. However, because federal government claims the power to conduct warrantless stops within 100 miles of the actual linear border, the BP was still ever-present.

Activists organized a protest at the location of a planned new BP building in Port Angeles in 2012, with the participation of Port Townsend residents. The group continued to advocate for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers over the time, both individually and through their local churches and civic groups.

Even before the 2016 national election campaign, concern grew about Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies and the possible danger of BP and Immigration and Customs Enforcemernt (ICE) actions resuming again.

Local activities to defend immigrants intensified and became more organized. In 2017, the group that became Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates applied for and received non-profit status. Since then, JCIRA has continued to work for and support immigrants to create a community where diversity is appreciated and all feel welcome.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT JCIRA'S FOUNDERS

HOW JCIRA EVOLVED OVER TIME

JCIRA has continued to grow and make significant achievements as it has developed. Thanks to generous grants and dedicated volunteers. We now can do even more together to support immigrants and become a unifying presence in our community.

To name just a few examples, JCIRA has:

Opened a multicultural center in Port Townsend that serves everyone, providing assistance for immigrants and asylum seekers and offering classes, including ESL and Spanish language classes along with other trainings to the community.
Received more grants from other nonprofit organizations, rewarded to JCIRA based on local achievements.
Added dedicated, bilingual staff members and expanded its numbers of volunteers to help immigrants with housing, grants, legal assistance, and obtaining medical care and insurance.
Supported an Afghan immigrant family, helping them become independent members of our community.
Provided a space for community gatherings for groups, including the Women's Justice Circle, BIPOC, and the Jefferson County Foundation.
Partnered with other immigrant advocacy groups, such as WAISN and engaged in lobbying efforts with local officials and representatives, including participating in annual Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Day in Olympia.
Helped organize multiple benefit concerts, dances, and other activities as part of fundraising.
Collaborated with the Jefferson County Library on programs to benefit children and families,such as the Welcoming Library, and others.
Hosted celebrations recognizing the rich cultural traditions that are part of where we live.
Established a scholarship in the name of the late Larry Jensen, who served as president of JCIRA.
Organized and participated in protests to stand up for the rights of immigrants and the rule of law for all.