Know Your Rights: Immigration, Advocacy and Education

Under Equity and Civil Rights, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction states that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that undocumented children and young adults have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as do U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

OSPI Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public School

In 2018, Brooklyn Defender Services and partners launched new videos documenting what to do when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Titled "We Have Rights", the series of four animated films in seven languages are intended to help immigrant families know what to do when confronted by ICE in the most common situations. Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is a non-profit public defense office.
 

We Have Rights Video Series 

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading advocacy organizations in the U.S. dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their families. NILC has created a set of cards which can be downloaded below that explain to law enforcement when an individual is exercising their legal rights.

National Immigration Law Center

NILC Safety Rights Card

Families seeking support may report an incident of hate or bias to the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), a community-based organization that has been serving immigrants and their families in the local area since 1972. All information is confidential and anonymous. CISC is a partner of the Coalition Against Hate & Bias, which is supported by the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ). 

CISC Hate or Bias Reporting

Founded in 2019, Eastside For All is a nonprofit advocacy organization that grew out of the grassroots efforts of the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition’s (ERIC) and its nearly 20-year history.

Eastside for All Community Safety

Eastside For All is a member of the King County Coalition Against Hate and Bias. The Coalition is a community-led initiative to address hate and bias incidents by strengthening and networking communities who experience racist and bigoted treatment and all forms of oppression. 

Eastside for All Hate or Bias Reporting

Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) was founded 35 years ago by the U.S. Catholic bishops to support a growing network of community and faith-based organizations working to meet the needs of immigrants seeking legal services.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network

Archdiocese of Seattle - Immigrant and Refugee Resources

The Immigrant Legal Resouce Center (ILRC) has downloadable cards to help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.

ILRC Rights Card

The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) is the largest immigrant justice network in Washington that convenes and cultivates a statewide coalition to protect and advance the power and rights of all immigrant and refugee communities. Resources available in seven languages.

WAISN Public Resouces

The WAISN Resource Finder is a database of resouces vetted for accessibility to immigrant community members in Washington State.

WAISN Resource Finder

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. They create welcoming spaces for young people – regardless of immigration status – to support, engage, and empower them to make their voice heard.  United We Dream puts undocumented immigrant youth in the driver’s seat.

United We Dream Resources