After months of pleas from providers and advocates to address the state’s increasing asylum-seeker crisis, the Washington Legislature has taken action. In the recently updated state budget, over $32 million has been allocated to support the new arrivals to the state.
The state’s Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is set to receive over $25 million, with an additional $5 million allocated to King County and $2.5 million to the city of Tukwila, where Riverton Park United Methodist Church is located. The funding for the state office of refugees is specifically designated to support individuals who have recently arrived in the United States and Washington and are not eligible for federal assistance, as stated in the budget.
This investment will complement the efforts of House Bill 2368, recently passed in this session. The bill grants the refugee office the power to offer direct assistance to asylum-seekers who do not meet the requirements for federal refugee resettlement services.
People who are seeking asylum in the United States are faced with the challenge of waiting for months to obtain a work permit due to federal regulations. Unfortunately, this means that the recent influx of arrivals is left without the means to earn money and cover their housing expenses for an extended period of time.
According to Representative Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, who sponsored HB 2368, the state should play a role in signaling to its partners that it is there to provide assistance and support.
Both HB 2368 and the state budget are currently awaiting the signature of Gov. Jay Inslee. Mike Faulk, spokesperson for the governor’s office, explains that the state budget is typically one of the final items to be signed due to its intricate nature.
The deadline for Gov. Inslee to sign all bills is March 30th.
“The passed asylum-seeker aid has the advantage of assisting asylum-seekers while simultaneously expanding local housing services,” Faulk stated. “The governor values the Legislature’s commitment to supporting our communities.”
In December 2022, pastor Jan Bolerjack started providing shelter to newly arrived migrants and asylum-seekers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. The church, under Bolerjack’s leadership, has become a crucial support system for King County’s asylum-seeker crisis. Numerous asylum-seekers, predominantly from Venezuela and Angola, are still seeking refuge and approaching Bolerjack for assistance.
Over the past year, the church has provided shelter to over 800 individuals on its property, although this number is likely an underestimate as there are currently hundreds of people residing there.
Moreover, a considerable number of individuals seeking asylum who initially arrived in Tukwila have been relocated to various Airbnbs and hotels in South King County. Unfortunately, as the funding provided by local governments and private donors gradually diminishes, many of these groups are now confronted with the constant risk of eviction.
Bolerjack was unavailable for comment at the time of publication, but she previously mentioned to The Seattle Times in mid-February, “I had the impression that we were merely holding it until someone else claimed it. However, no one has taken it as of now.”
The local governments and the state refugee office would need to wait until July 1st to receive the majority of the funding, if it is included in the final budget signed by the governor. However, Sarah Peterson, the head of the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, stated that her office is already making preparations.
Peterson mentioned that her office intends to hold a series of listening sessions with community groups that have been affected in order to gain a better understanding of their needs.
“We are excited about collaborating with the community to make responsible and dedicated investments towards providing these essential services,” Peterson expressed his enthusiasm.
Peterson was unable to provide detailed information on how this substantial investment would be utilized to ease the burden on the Riverton Park church. The church is currently providing shelter to a significant number of asylum-seekers, including numerous families with children.
She assured, “Our focus for funding will undoubtedly be on housing.”
The budget allocates $25.25 million in funding for the refugee office, which can be utilized for various needs including food, transportation, legal services, and more. Additionally, $1 million of this funding would be directed towards school districts like Tukwila, which have experienced a notable rise in homeless students seeking asylum.
“We believe that these funds will serve as a foundational investment in establishing a comprehensive statewide infrastructure that caters to the essential requirements of recently arrived migrants in Washington. Our aim is to provide them with the necessary support during their initial resettlement phase,” stated Vanessa Reyes, the policy manager for the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. The organization played a key role in advocating for aid to asylum-seekers during the recent 60-day session.”
In addition, the Department of Commerce would allocate $5 million to King County. Towards the end of the previous year, the county took the initiative to cover the expenses for 100 hotel rooms in SeaTac, which have been fully occupied since February 1st. Currently, around 350 individuals reside in these rooms, and a portion of the state funds would be utilized to reimburse the county for the $3 million already invested in the hotel project.
Chase Gallagher, spokesperson for the King County Executive’s Office, mentioned that they are currently in the process of determining how the extra funds will be allocated. In addition to the $5 million, King County recently concluded a request-for-proposal process in which they solicited applications from local nonprofits. The aim was to secure more direct assistance for the asylum-seeker community in South King County.
The state funding for costs related to unsheltered, recently arrived individuals and families would bring an additional $2.5 million to the city of Tukwila. With a population of just over 20,000 residents, this funding will support the community’s efforts in addressing the needs of those in need of shelter.
The city of Tukwila has recently taken a commendable step by setting up a spacious tent on the grounds of Riverton Park United Methodist Church. This initiative aims to provide a more comfortable and pest-free option for those who would otherwise be sleeping in individual camping tents. Currently, the tent is home to 24 adults and 18 children, making a total of 42 people residing in this temporary shelter. Brad Harwood, the spokesperson for the city, confirmed these figures on Friday.
The city anticipates that the tent project will require a budget exceeding $200,000 for the upcoming six months.
According to Harwood, we aim to collaborate with the state in the future as it assumes a more prominent role in the response. This includes utilizing the allocated funds for Tukwila in a coordinated manner.
He emphasized that the problem extends beyond just one city or county, and it is crucial for state officials to adopt a more proactive approach in handling the situation.
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