Read this full article in Español and Soomaali.
The Family Separation Response Task Force continued to make progress throughout the month of March. Dozens of state partners met on March 4 and 25 to discuss the goals of the Task Force and to further explore the impacts on families and children affected by separation due to deportation and immigration-related detention.
Next steps for the Task Force include:
- Organizing a listening session with community partners and advocates.
- Coordinating small groups or committees to work through specific problem areas.
- Drafting a report to the Governor’s Office by April 30 outlining the Task Force’s vision and objectives.
The Task Force continues to examine current laws in place that protect the rights of Washington residents, like the Keep Washington Working Act. Passed in 2019 and fully complying with federal law, this law restricts the extent to which local law enforcement may participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Task Force members have also heard from state partners regarding current processes in place when responding to children separated from their families due to immigration-related detention or deportation. Doing so has helped inform the Task Force’s mission and goals moving forward.
Objectives of the Task Force include:
- Identifying current policies within state agencies and exploring if they need to change to better support children and families.
- Developing and sharing actionable steps and processes for state and local governments to respond to and address short- and long-term needs of children left without a caregiver.
- Creating effective lines of communication between state, federal, consular, and local partners.
- Ensuring families can easily access information about needed resources and supports, including immigration safety planning documents, legal assistance, mental health services, translation/interpretation services, etc.
The Task Force is compiling a list of Frequently Ask Questions for state and local partners on our website. For more information about the Task Force and to sign up for email updates, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/EOTaskForce.
For specific questions, please contact our Task Force Administrator Lillian Ferraz at lillian.ferraz@dcyf.wa.gov.
“Heightened federal emphasis on deportations has left many families feeling uneasy and worried,” said DCYF Secretary Tana Senn. “Meanwhile, here in Washington state, we have a dedicated Task Force, created by the Governor’s Executive Order, focused on supporting children who may be left behind without a primary caregiver, seeking to give them and their families more peace of mind.”
Helpful Resources:
- Parents are encouraged to create a safety plan which identifies who would take care of their child(ren) if they are detained or deported. Download a sample plan here.
- Know Your Rights regarding civil immigration enforcement in Washington state.
- Report potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act by emailing the Washington Attorney General’s Office at civilrights@atg.wa.gov or by calling 1-833-660-4877 (options are in Spanish and English).