Media

On Tuesday, October 27, we united with community leaders from OneAmerica, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) to condemn the unprecedented ICE surge happening in our state. Our community, members, families, neighbors, and children are directly experiencing this impact and collective trauma.

We gathered here at Casa Latina, beside our community altar created by the Mujeres Sin Fronteras program as a space to honor, mourn, and heal through our culture. Speakers shared stories of people recently detained in our state; a 19-year-old honor roll student about to start her freshman year at the University of Washington; two caregivers of vulnerable people, including someone who requires round-the-clock attention; a father of three on his way to a plumbing job; and a Laotian refugee.

As reported by The Seattle Times, Data from the University of California’s Deportation Data Project shows that ICE arrested about 700 people in our state in July, more than in any other month of this administration. NDLON also shared reports of ICE raids targeting day laborers at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Most of these detentions happen out of public view, and we often learn about them only through photos and videos that witnesses share on social media and through a few media outlets.

We should all be concerned, and we should all take action to support immigrants.

We collectively called on elected officials to close the loopholes that allow ICE to access nonpublic records from state agencies. As of October, the University of Washington Center for Human Rights has documented 356 immigration arrests linked to driver information.

These practices go against Keep Washington Working state law, which protects Washington residents’ information from being shared or used for federal immigration enforcement. Driver licenses are meant to keep our roads safe and our communities working, not to be used as a tool to enforce deportations. We urge our leaders to act now to demand no more sharing of licensing information.

While we push our leaders to act, we also want to encourage communities to stay safe. Planning ahead is one of the most powerful ways to protect yourself and your family.

If You Are at Risk, we encourage you to make a plan:

• Keep your immigration paperwork up to date.
• Stay in contact with your immigration attorney. If you do not have one, reach out to local organizations that provide immigration services and bond support.
• Gather your important documents and store them in a safe place. If possible, prepare a family emergency plan and powers of attorney for your family and property.

We thank and honor all of the local Rapid Response and Mutual Aid groups supporting our community during this time. Special thank you to those who are providing accompaniment, paying rents, delivering food, preparing backpacks to community members facing deportation, so they have clean clothes, snacks, documents, and sometimes medicine to stay safe.

Thank you to NDLON for supporting Day Laborers outside of Home Depots and Lowes through their Adopt A Day Labor Corner Campaign. Thank you to all of the immigration legal groups working pro bono around the clock to keep families together. We all have a part to do to keep our communities safe.

To Our Citizen Community,

• VOTE. Vote early and before Tuesday, Nov. 3. Drop off your ballot at a designated drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

• GET INVOLVED. Volunteer, Support local groups, and hire Casa Latina members! 

At Casa Latina, we remain committed to standing with and supporting our community during this difficult time. Everyone has a part to play in creating the change we want to see.

Together, through love and action, we will overcome this moment and rebuild a safer state for all Washingtonians. 🦋

Click the play button above to watch a recap video of our event.

In Solidarity,

Jennyfer Mesa

Executive Director

We’re excited to share that Casa Latina’s Day Worker Center will be open on Saturdays starting June 13!

This means more opportunities to connect with skilled workers for your home and business projects—including cleaning, gardening, landscaping, painting, moving, and event support—while creating dignified work opportunities for immigrant workers in our community.

As you plan your summer projects, we invite you to hire through Casa Latina. Our members bring experience, dedication, and care to every job, and 100% of what you pay goes directly to the worker you hire. Many of our members also participate in ongoing training, including OSHA safety certification, specialized skills training, and English classes.

By hiring through Casa Latina, you are investing in local families and helping build a community where immigrant workers have access to fair wages, stability, and opportunity.

Our Call Center Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

📞 Call to place your work order at (206) 956- 0779 x3 or online here.

Please note that all work orders need to be submitted at least one business day in advance to allow processing.

Thank you for being part of this community and for supporting immigrant workers.

Unidos en la fuerza🦋