SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and City Council members are proposing to direct $100,000 in emergency financial assistance to individuals and families affected by civil immigration enforcement.
If approved by the City Council, the money would be allocated to the Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition’s Community Justice Fund, which supports families by providing assistance with housing, healthcare, groceries and transportation.
“Over the past several months, members of my Administration and I have had the opportunity to sit down with local immigrant and refugee residents to hear their stories: their fears, their hopes, and the very real challenges they are facing,” Brown said. “The Trump Administration’s policies have torn families apart and resulted in job loss. These are valuable members of our Spokane community and providing financial support is tangible way we can support them.”
“The City of Spokane’s $100,000 investment in the Community Justice Fund would strengthen immigrant families’ ability to remain housed, access timely emergency care, and navigate moments of challenge with dignity and security,” said Margot Mejia, Early Childhood Engagement Specialist and Community Advocacy Liaison with Refugee & Immigrant Connections Spokane.
Council President Betsy Wilkerson said the allocation demonstrates the city’s commitment to its inclusive values.
“Supporting our immigrant community isn’t just about providing emergency help; it’s about standing united during difficult times,” Wilkerson said. “This allocation demonstrates our commitment to upholding our city’s motto, that ‘In Spokane, We All Belong.'”
Jerrall Haynes, Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion, said immigration enforcement can destabilize entire families beyond just the individuals directly affected.
“When immigration enforcement removes a wage earner or caregiver from a household, it does not just impact one person. It can destabilize an entire family or community,” Haynes said.
More information and resources for local immigrant and refugee residents are available on the City of Spokane’s website.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
