Immigrant & Refugee Services
We help immigrants and people preparing for citizenship with programs and media in English and other languages. You can study for citizenship exams, and understand your rights as an American citizen. Get help with new technologies or
Citizenship Classes & Resources
Get help becoming a United States citizen with our free classes and resources. We have books, CDs and DVDs in many languages to help you study for your citizenship test. We also offer free classes and online tools to help you learn English.
Know Your Rights
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The resources on this page can help you know your rights when you are stopped by law enforcement officers.
Resources for Immigrants & Refugees
General Support
- Allen Family Center - a drop-in center where families can get food, diapers, and cold weather supplies along with connection to resources including shelter and housing navigation.
- El Centro de la Raza - offers resource navigation and connection support, as well as employment assistance, ESL classes, benefits enrollment, and more. While El Centro has a historical focus on Spanish speakers and in the Spanish speaking community, all are welcome.
- Horn of Africa Services - offers multi-lingual social and cultural services for East African arrivals (multiple languages spoken).
- Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network – supports immigrant justice in Washington state, including with a Deportation Defense Hotline (call 1-844-724-3737) and comprehensive resource finder.
- Washington Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Project - helps newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers in Washington state connect to services including legal assistance, case management and housing.
Legal Services
- Colectiva Legal del Pueblo - City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs has funded this organization to provide legal services for asylum seekers.
- Eastside Legal Assistance Program - provides limited free legal help on issues like petitions, applications for adjustment of status or citizenship, and general immigration legal questions. Must live in King County outside the city of Seattle and be a low-income household.
- King County Bar Neighborhood Legal Clinics - offer free, limited legal advice and referrals to King County residents (including in the city of Seattle) and individuals with legal issues in King County who might otherwise have no access to the legal system.
- Legal Counsel for Youth and Children - supports immigrant youth and families across Washington State through direct legal services (for youth), workshops, training, resources, and systemic advocacy.
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project - provides asylum-seekers with legal services to navigate work authorizations, asylum applications and other government processes and get temporary protected status.
Shelter/Housing
- Emergency Family Shelter intake offered by Mary’s Place - Coordinates intake into emergency shelter for families at multiple locations throughout King County. Clients are screened for shelter openings that night.
- Union Gospel Mission Emergency Women and Children Shelter - Call or email the Referral and Intake team at 206-501-HELP (4357) or gethelp@ugm.org.