JCIJ July Newsletter
July 1, 2026 • 16 Tammuz 5786
TASTE OF HONEY
In July, we’re celebrating the commitment to immigrant justice of our community and partners. Today begins JCIJ’s new fiscal, or organizational, year - which means that JCIJ Board Member (and co-founder!) Dina’s nine years of board service has come to a close!
Thank you, Dina, for your remarkable commitment to walking side-by-side with immigrant community members; your skills in organizing new community members to take action; and for growing and developing JCIJ’s Accompaniment Program with such care. We deeply appreciate Dina’s leadership on the JCIJ Board, and we are grateful that Dina will remain active as a leader in Accompaniment.
This week marks another milestone–the semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday, of this country–taking place as eyes are on Seattle for the FIFA World Cup. Immigration and immigrant justice are central topics for both events. Celebrate the stories and immigration experiences that shape our city and country (and the Jewish immigration central to American music), and share your stories as you gather with community. Visitors from across the world are in Seattle to take in the World Cup, and there’s still anticipation of increased ICE presence because of this. Take action in solidarity with workers at the Embassy Suites in Seattle for fair pay, healthcare, and protection from ICE!
We know we’re stronger advocates and action takers when we work together! Keep reading to find out how to support partner organizations doing critical work; gather in community; and develop more skills in organizing for immigrant justice.
SUPPORT
Support Riverton Park United Methodist Church’s Essential Services!
Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila has provided first-line support for hundreds of asylum seekers for several years, including legal aid, translation, housing, basic necessities and more. Their team, led by Reverend Bolerjack, has worked tirelessly to offer a safe and welcoming community–and community home–for immigrant community members. JCIJ has worked closely with Riverton Park for years: JCIJ volunteers support legal clinics, accompany community members to immigration appointments, and, recently, start a community building program for asylum-seeking families. However, they recently lost crucial funding, and their resources are stretched beyond their capacity.
Because of funding cuts, they had to lay off:
4 full-time Case Managers, who served 40-50 of people every day; there is 1 part-time Case Manager and 1 part-time Housing Manager remaining.
The 6-member Legal Assistance Team, including 5 part-time staff and an attorney, who are all temporarily volunteering their time. Each of them serve 30 or more immigrant community members.
Riverton Park needs our support to continue to do vital work, serving more than 8,000 immigrant community members; providing legal assistance and services in several languages, and housing dozens of migrants every night. You can help restore Riverton’s crucial services today! Donate to support services for migrant families and help Riverton sustain their essential programs.
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.
Working Washington | “No Soccer without Workers” Community Match
July 2, 2026 | 10:00-3:00 PM | Seattle
Join Working Washington for a community soccer game celebrating workers! Watch or play in the match, build community with workers and organizers, and have fun! Their legal team and organizers will be available for consultations about work issues.
Seattle Troublemakers | "Why Affinity Groups?" Workshop
July 2, 2026 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Seattle
Affinity groups have been used for decades in social movements as a way for small groups of people to take powerful, nonviolent direct action together. Affinity groups are small groups of ~5-15 people who have high levels of trust and political alignment. Come learn about the history of affinity groups, ways they've been utilized in small and large scale protests (like the Seattle WTO protests), and learn what it takes to start an affinity group. You’ll explore together how affinity groups can be useful structures especially in this increasingly repressive political environment. This workshop is one part history and one part small group conversation.
Church Council of Greater Seattle | "Clerics, Abbots, & Heretics: Oh My!" Drag Fundraiser
June 14, 2026 | 5:45-8:00 PM | Seattle
Get out your glitter and your sequins, cause the Church Council is hosting their second annual Drag Fundraiser: "Clerics, Abbots, & Heretics: Oh My!" At a time when attacks against migrant communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and so many others are on the rise, part of how we organize for transformational change toward liberation and justice is through celebration. This event showcases talents, spotlights the Church Council’s fabulosity, and sustains the work of the Church Council in the years to come!
T’ruah & Bend the Arc | Antisemitism & Immigration: A Messaging Training for Jewish Clergy
July 8, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Zoom
Our safety as Jews is deeply connected to the safety of all our neighbors, including immigrants. When the fight against antisemitism is used to harm immigrants, Jewish clergy can be powerful voices to describe what’s at play and advocate for and inspire action towards our shared safety. Join T’ruah and Bend the Arc for “How to Talk About Antisemitism & Immigration Together” with Jamie Beran (CEO, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action) and Rabbi Jill Jacobs (CEO, T’ruah) to launch a new messaging guide for Jewish clergy with specific language to clear the smokescreen, help keep immigrant families together, and dismantle antisemitism and all other oppressions.
Freedom Trainers | Noncooperation 101 Training
July 15, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 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 | Know Your Rights Training
July 15, 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.
Pramila Jaypal’s Resistance Lab | Immigration Justice Virtual Organizing Training (Rescheduled from June)
July 19, 2026 | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM | Virtual
Congresswoman Jayapal, who was an immigrant rights' organizer before heading to Congress and is currently the top Democrat on the Immigration Subcommittee in Congress, will lead the training. Join her team to dive into the history of our immigration system, how the administration is using immigration to advance their authoritarian agenda, and where we go from here. They’ll also discuss concrete actions people can take to support immigrant communities and protect our democracy.
Casa Latina | Carne Asada Fundraiser & FIFA World Cup Final Watch Celebration
July 19, 2026 | 11:00 AM-3:00 PM | Seattle
This fundraiser is an opportunity to celebrate community and stand with immigrant workers. Join Casa Latina to watch the FIFA World Cup Final, enjoy a delicious carne asada plate prepared by our Day Worker Center staff, and connect with others who believe in worker dignity, safety, and economic justice. Your participation helps strengthen Casa Latina’s work and supports immigrant workers in Seattle.
WAISN | Rapid Response Training
July 21, 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.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Immigration Updates
July 22, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Zoom
Join NWIRP for recent immigration related updates. They will share the information in English from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM, followed by the same updates in Spanish from 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Please join at the time that works best for your language needs.
La Resistencia | Solidarity Day at the NWDC
July 25, 2026 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Northwest Detention Center
Join La Resistencia for a solidarity day! Come show solidarity and support with those who are detained inside the Northwest Detention Center.
Members of the JCIJ Advocacy Committee wrote a blog post reflecting on the 2026 Legislative Session and how to become an advocate in preparation for 2027! This year, the Washington State Legislature convened on January 12 and adjourned on March 12, concluding a session marked by several legislative victories for immigrant communities and fights that will continue into next year’s Legislative Session.
VOLUNTEER
Call for Volunteers: Do you happen to be a notary?
JCIJ and partner organizations are looking for notaries! Contact us at team@jewishcoalition.org if you are a notary and interested in volunteering your services. You can support immigrant families by notarizing Family Safety Plans and more!
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. Please note: We are not currently accepting new Accompaniment Volunteers and do not have an Accompaniment Training scheduled. Thank you for your understanding!
New opportunities:
Volunteer to support the Hospitality Table on the sidewalk of Interurban Ave S, just outside the office building for immigration surveillance appointments. A group of concerned neighbors set up this hospitality table outside of BI, Inc. to offer warmth, respect, and compassion to immigrant community members coming for their regular check-ins. Find out more about signing up for a shift to offer café gratis (free coffee!) and much more to immigrant community members and accompaniment volunteers.
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
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 Today highlights 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
I used to work at an ICE detention center. Here’s what I learned | The Seattle Times
As ICE protesters like ‘Spokane 3’ are targeted, many still stand up | The Seattle Times
Seattle labor groups prepare for increased ICE presence at the World Cup | KUOW
Trump Officials Say ICE Won’t Raid World Cup Games, but Fans Are Worried | New York Times
New WA law seeking to protect immigrant workers takes effect this week | KUOW (from early June)
FEDERAL NEWS
Supreme Court rulings:
Supreme Court Allows Trump to Strip TPS, Turn Away Asylum Seekers Arriving at the Border in Pair of New Immigration Rulings (American Immigration Council) | The ruling on Temporary Protection Status will have swift repercussions for migrants and employers (New York Times)
Perspectives on the state of immigration:
For the Nation’s Birthday, Making It Harder to Become an American (New Yorker) | Most AAPI adults say the US is no longer a great country for immigrants, new poll finds (NW Asian Weekly) | ICE Is Killing Jobs for Americans, Not Creating Them (New York Times) | Immigration Hard-Liners Repeatedly Lost in Court Before Justices Ruled in Their Favor (New York Times)
Federal immigration enforcement:
Republicans push $70B for immigration enforcement through US Senate, with no limits on ICE (Washington State Standard) | ICE reportedly wasted millions, endangered detainees in largest immigration facility (NPR) | Data shows that ICE claims about detainees' crimes are false (New York Times) | US refugee cap raised only for white South Africans (Associated Press) | Alligator Alcatraz officially shutters (Politico)
Threats of deportation:
Appeals court allows Trump administration expanded use of speedy deportations (NPR) | Senator warns of plan to remove over 500 unaccompanied children (Associated Press) | Four siblings left to fend for themselves (Mother Jones)
Immigration policy across the country:
Maryland law limiting cooperation with ICE challenged by local law enforcement (New York Times) | ICE facial recognition app used by some local police (NPR) | Local jails financially benefitting from holding ICE detainees (NPR)
Targeted dismantling of supports for immigrants:
San Francisco immigration court shuttered (NPR) | U.S. restricts small-business loans, affecting immigrants (NPR) | ICE removed detainee protections after private outreach from top contractor (Seattle Times)
Updates from the courts:
$100,000 fee on new H-1B visas blocked (NPR) | Judge strikes policy that halted asylum decisions (PBS) | Use of federal database to check citizenship is blocked (Associated Press) | ICE barred from making arrests at immigration courts nationwide (American Bar Association Journal) | Supreme Court will hear case about prolonged detention for immigrants with criminal records (Washington State Standard)
SONGS IN THE KEY OF JCIJ
Curated by Dina Burstein
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom
Be in touch with the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW
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