Asylum Seekers in Washington State
Though the Pacific Northwest is far from the southern border, about 14,000 new cases of immigrant documentation have been filed in Washington state within the past year according to Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN). KBCS spoke with WAISN, Policy Manager, Vanessa Reyes about current conditions for immigrants, particularly at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila where about 200 are staying.
Stories on immigrants who have been at Riverton Park United Methodist Church:
Ways to help (links offered by WAISN and announcement from Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church)
(Diners are also urged to bring new blankets for the Riverton migrants.)
Producer: Yuko Kodama
LGBTQ Immigration Detention in Washington State
As of January 28th, Washington’s Northwest Detention Center is intentionally housing LGBTQ detainees. Monserrat Padilla Co-Director of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) describes the efforts to protect this population of immigrants.
Producer: Yuko Kodama
Photo: torbakhopper