JCIJ August Newsletter
August 2, 2026 • 20 Av 5786
TASTE OF HONEY
This month, JCIJ is looking ahead to our fourth (!) annual Summer Gathering on August 30, when we come together to build community, learn more about what’s happening on the ground locally, and how to get involved or deepen engagement in accompaniment and advocacy over brunch and music. At this year’s gathering, with the start of the school year on the horizon, we’re asking for your support assembling mutual aid for schoolchildren. Your support ensures that students receive essential school supplies and classroom snacks!
Join us at the Summer Gathering and help put together back to school kits, and collect school supplies and pantry-stable snacks, for elementary school students in Tukwila, many of whom are associated with Riverton. Bring your items to donate with you on August 30 or order them through JCIJ’s wishlist! Let us know if you're coming to the Summer Gathering by registering for free tickets at tinyurl.com/summerjcij.
JCIJ UPDATES
JCIJ is growing: Apply now to join our team!
Join the Jewish Coalition team! We’re hiring two roles:
Communications & Operations Manager (Full-time, 40 hours per week)
Community Engagement Organizer (Part-time, 20 hours per week)
These positions will develop, lead, and grow JCIJ’s organizing efforts to build a community of volunteers and action-takers ready to meet this moment. Find out more about each position and apply below! Application deadline is Thursday, August 20, at 5 PM.
TAKE ACTION
Tell USCIS: Keep Naturalization Affordable!
The federal government is proposing a new rule that would increase the cost of naturalization fees. The proposal makes it harder to become an American: costs to file required forms for naturalization would increase by 75%, and the rule eliminates fee waives and reduced fee options.
Take action and fight against this change: Submit a public comment to USCIS to tell them not to raise naturalization fees using OneAmerica’s tool!
Tell USCIS: Don't strip asylum seekers of their right to be heard!
USCIS has issued a new rule that lets immigration officers refer asylum seekers straight into deportation proceedings — without ever giving them an interview. For decades, this interview has been the first opportunity for asylum seekers to explain their case to a trained asylum officer before anything else happens. Under this new rule, an officer can decide if someone doesn't qualify for that discussion — and refer them straight to removal proceedings — based on paperwork alone. The officer's decision letter won't even have to say whether they found the person’s claims to be credible.
This rule is already in effect. But for a limited time it's open for public comment, and every comment becomes part of the official record — a record that matters for future legal challenges and oversight.
Use HIAS’ public comment tool to tell USCIS how this rule will harm asylum seekers! Submit your comment by September 28, 2026.
Get out the vote for the August 4 primary election!
It’s election time again! Make sure to get your primary election ballot in by 8 PM on Tuesday, August 4. Find a ballot dropbox with the Secretary of State’s tool.
JCIJ EVENTS
JCIJ’s Annual Summer Gathering
August 30, 2026 | 10:30 AM | Seattle
Bring your friends and family and join us for the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice's 3rd annual Summer Gathering! Tickets are free; Seattle location details will be shared with registered attendees.
Together we can grow an even stronger community of JCIJ advocates, action takers, and accompaniment volunteers. Come learn more about how to get involved or deepen your engagement in accompaniment and advocacy over brunch and music. There will also be time for chatting ~ schmoozing (Yiddish) or to echar lashon (Ladino)!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Access resources and events from other organizations in the region! These are events shared by community members and local organizations. If you know of upcoming immigrant justice events relevant for next month’s newsletter, send an email to team@jewishcoalition.org.
OneAmerica Votes | Deep Listening Canvass Training
August 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Zoom
Join OneAmerica’s virtual training to learn more about the organization and how to build immigrant power through Deep Listening Canvassing, where they have conversations with immigrant families about the issues most impacting their daily lives, learn what solutions would be most impactful to them, and connect them with the OneAmerica community.
Seattle Troublemakers | “Agents of Change” Nonviolent Direct Action Series Kickoff
August 6, 2026 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Seattle
Agents of Change will teach you how to plan safe, successful nonviolent direct actions (NVDAs) and build lasting organizing relationships. Across three webinars and an in-person Action Lab weekend, you’ll cover NVDA strategy and history, protest safety and de-escalation, risk levels and action roles, and the somatic and psychological work of sustainable activism — closing out with a real action where you put it all together. This kickoff serves two purposes: it is the first event in the series for people who are already registered AND it doubles as an info session for those who want to learn more before committing. All are welcome, bring a friend if you wish!
WAISN | Know Your Rights Training
August 12, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Zoom
Join this virtual workshop to learn how to support yourself and your community during encounters with immigration enforcement agents. This Know Your Rights training covers what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes to your home or workplace, how to identify valid warrants, and how to assert your rights safely.
Freedom Trainers | Noncooperation 101 Training
August 17, 2026 | 4:00-6:00 PM | Zoom
Join Freedom Trainers for a 2 hour virtual training on civil resistance and noncooperation. Participants will leave with concrete steps for taking action for elections and freedom to vote.
WAISN | Rapid Response Training
August 18, 2026 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Zoom
Learn how statewide rapid response networks mobilize for deportation defense in this virtual training focused on supporting communities and keeping families together.
This month, we’re highlighting the Fair Fight Bond Fund, which helps release people from detention.
Since 2018, the Fair Fight Bond Fund has helped post bond for more than 156 people, reuniting families and giving individuals the opportunity to fight their immigration cases from home rather than from detention. The Fair Fight Bond Fund is the only community-funded bond fund in the Pacific Northwest.
Every bond posted means someone can return to their family, reconnect with legal counsel, continue medical care, and prepare for their case with dignity. It is a direct and immediate way to change a person's life.
VOLUNTEER
Engage with JCIJ and our partners!
Interested in joining our work for immigrant justice? We have a range of volunteer needs and opportunities. Get in touch to learn more! We’re looking for volunteer leaders that can support new community support projects in response to federal ICE escalation in the greater Seattle area.
New opportunities:
Build community with asylum-seeking families at Riverton Park United Methodist Church by volunteering with the Family Support Program. In this program, teams of two volunteers will be assigned to a family, helping them build community in Seattle and navigate regular life (making appointments, connecting them with ESL resources, going on picnics, taking kids to the free day at the museum. etc.). Volunteers will visit families about twice a month, and connect with the larger program lead team once a month. We do ask volunteers to commit to six months of support.
MEETING THIS MOMENT
Know someone who wants to be accompanied to their immigration appointment or hearing?
Contact the WAISN Hotline at 1-844-724-3737, Monday-Friday from 6am-6pm, and request accompaniment. Note: Please give as much lead time as possible. The Jewish Coalition will dispatch trained accompaniment volunteers.
View printable Accompaniment flyers in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Lingala at tinyurl.com/flyersjcij.
RESOURCES
NWIRP Resources | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Watch NWIRP’s Immigration Update July 2026.
NEW: Use NWIRP’s new resource about navigating mega master hearings.
Informational videos and PowerPoint slideshows for asylum seekers to help navigate the immigration court and asylum process. In English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Know Your Rights Resources - Every person in the United States has certain basic rights regardless of citizenship.
If you know someone who is currently detained at the Northwest Detention Center, please contact NWIRP at detainedreferrals@nwirp.org or call NWIRP at 253-383-0519/ 877-814-6444.
Family Safety Plans by Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC)
Immigrant Safety Plan document- Safety planning for families who could be targeted is critical. Share this resource widely!
WAISN Resources for Deportation Defense | Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
Four Deportation Defense Actions You Can Take Todayhighlights important steps we can take now to protect immigrant rights. Share widely!
Know Your Rights flyers and information in English, Spanish, French, Lingala, Portuguese, and Somali.
Additional Flyers and Resources about the Keep Washington Working Act.
Support the Fair Fight Bond Fund.
Know Your Rights App
This app developed by the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is in many languages and has the ability to read your rights out loud to an ICE or law enforcement agent and send a message to an emergency contact.
Great for All CID | ICE Free Zone Toolkit for Your Neighborhood
The Chinatown-International District neighborhood is preparing to resist ICE/DHS in the coming months and during the FIFA World Cup this summer. Community members developed a toolkit as a templatefor you to organize with your neighbors and defend your neighborhood. Use the templates to create a community defense plan where you live!
LOCAL NEWS
On July 17, JCIJ’s Executive Director Andrea Soroko Naar joined Rep. Pramila Jayapal and our partners in the Washington for All Coalition to demand accountability for ICE and justice for the Lorenzo Salgao Araugo and Johan Sebastián Guerrero, the fathers shot by ICE in Texas and Maine. Read more about the press conference and Washington for All’s demands. Watch the press conference on OneAmerica’s Facebook page or read local media coverage: Jayapal joins 200 lawmakers demanding investigation after latest ICE-related shootings (KUOW); Washington Congresswoman to introduce law protecting families from DHS separation (KIRO 7)
Updates from WAISN about June immigration activity in Washington:
In June, 61 reports of immigration enforcement activity came through the WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline and Rapid Response Teams.
[WAISN was] able to confirm the detention of 58 people, with 21 of those detentions occurring during an immigration raid in Mason County on June 28. The heaviest confirmed activity was recorded in Mason, King, and Whatcom counties—with particular hotspots in Shelton, Lynden, and Burien.
During the raid in Mason County on June 28, where 21 people were detained, we received reports that this event was not limited to a specific business or location. It appeared to be a coordinated, large-scale operation involving numerous agents and at least 10 vehicles moving through the town, knocking on doors of homes and targeting common gathering places.
Between April and June, the average number of monthly detentions confirmed by the Hotline and Rapid Response Teams was 140% higher than January-March.
During this time period, King, Whatcom, and Mason Counties each accounted for roughly a quarter of all detentions reported across the state. Given their population size, it’s clear that Whatcom and Mason counties have been disproportionately impacted. Whatcom County has been consistently targeted, with 70 detentions reported so far this year, more than half occurring in April and May. 30% of these detentions were during traffic stops, 34% in public areas and parking lots, and 12% at or near courthouses. Local Rapid Response Teams are activating almost daily to verify and document reports and support impacted families on the ground.
Around half of the detentions reported in June occurred during traffic stops or in public spaces like parking lots. Because of this, there are increased reports of vehicles being left abandoned at the scene, with many families struggling to cover high towing and impound fees or being unable to recover their vehicles at all
Updates from WAISN about June immigration activity in Washington:
DOL Data Sharing Continues: July 2026 Update (UW Center for Human Rights)
Seattle Immigration Court launches new Trump tactic: ‘Mega’ hearings (Seattle Times)
Seattle Immigration Court starts ‘mega’ hearings, ‘welfare checks’ for kids (Seattle Times)
King County students pay tribute to deported friend, celebrate immigrant experience (KUOW)
DOJ threatens WA election officials with prosecution if noncitizens vote (KUOW)
Fear of ICE Is Changing How Local Immigrants Seek Health Care (South Seattle Emerald)
This Seattle-area mechanic offers free tows for vehicles left behind after ICE arrests (KUOW)
Health inspections of Tacoma ICE center remain on pause as legal battle continues (KUOW)
How Trump closed a key career path for Oregon immigrants and refugees (Washington State Standard)
This Seattle-area mechanic offers free tows for vehicles left behind after ICE arrests (KUOW)
Amid ICE ramp-up, ‘outraged’ Seattle man confronts officers over arrest (Seattle Times)
FEDERAL NEWS
About Lorenzo Salgao Araugo and Johan Sebastián Guerrero:
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo Chased the American Dream for 35 Years Before Fatal ICE Shooting (NYT) | Johan Sebastián Guerrero’s family remembers him as a loving and devoted man (Maine Morning Star)
Responses to their murders:
Mexico asks US state attorneys general to investigate migrant deaths in ICE custody | ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say | Sons of man shot and killed by ICE in Houston demand accountability at congressional hearing (AP)
ICE escalation:
ICE is arresting relatives who come forward to take custody of migrant children in federal shelters (Texas Tribune) | In Memphis, an 'anti-crime' task force quietly turned into an ICE crackdown (NPR) | New York man suing after ICE sent officers to his home over an email (PBS)
Immigration policy and enforcement updates:
Under Trump, spouses of U.S. citizens face policy changes in the immigration system (NPR) | Deportations of Unaccompanied Minors Have Tripled Under Trump (ProPublica) | Trump Administration Public Charge Rule Further Undermines Immigration System (AILA) | The Choice Facing Some Immigrants: Pay $1.8 Million in Fines or Leave (New York Times)
One U.S. visa program is growing rapidly. No one is happy with it (NPR) (ProPublica published a longform article in September 2025 about foreign farmworkers’ experiences on a H-2A visa.)
Lack of accountability for ICE:
White House says ICE traffic stops will continue after deadly shootings (NPR) | Federal Agents Were Told FBI Will No Longer Investigate ICE Confrontations (New York Times) | Contaminated Food, Unwashed Hands: Inside an ICE Detention Facility (New York Times) | “He Didn’t Need to Die.” How an Immigration Detention Center Repeatedly Failed to Address a Mental Health Crisis. (ProPublica) | DHS pledged body cams for all immigration agents. Months later, that hasn’t happened (NPR)
Immigration and elections:
US judge orders four states be given access to citizenship data for voter checks (Reuters) | Republican campaigns see immigration as a winning issue for midterms (NPR)
Fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision to end TPS:
Haitians, Hondurans, Salvadorans cope with protected status decision (Associated Press) | Employers Fear Labor Shortage as Many Immigrants Lose Protected Status (New York Times)
SONGS IN THE KEY OF JCIJ
Curated by Dina Burstein
Give Yourself to Love by Kate Wolf California singer-songwriter who tragically died at age 44.
And here’s a taste of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival:
Mas de Ti by Maruja Limon, a five-women band from Barcelona.
Sharaf by Sahra Halgan, a singer, cultural force and storyteller from Somaliland, living in political exile in France.
Bia Ferreira NPR Tiny Desk concert beginning with Antes de Ir. Bia Ferriera is a singer-songwriter and anti-racism activist from Brazil.
Be in touch with the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW
at team@jewishcoalition.org and learn more at jewishcoalition.org.
Follow JCIJ on Facebook and Instagram.
Donate to build Jewish Coalition’s advocacy, accompaniment and community engagement.
Volunteer for or learn more about accompaniment, legal support, advocacy, and more.