Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest
Supporting Immigrants with Dignity while in Detention and Upon Release
many ways to support
Donate Now
how you can help
Get Involved
learn even more
our events
What We Do
Our volunteers are outside the release gate of the NW ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington every weekday from 2:00 – 7 pm waiting to welcome released immigrants
We are Hiring!
Position: Volunteer Coordinator/Office Administrator
The AIDNW Welcome Center is in an RV stationed outside the release gate, and the immigrants know this is a place where they can get help.
We can arrange for their transportation to the bus station, airport or taxi, and when needed, we provide temporary housing until more permanent arrangements are made.
WELCOME CENTER
Our Welcome Center provides a safe place to telephone relatives and plan onward travel
HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Our Hospitality House offers shelter to immigrants released from detention
VISITATION
In-person visits and our Visitation Program volunteers are back inside!
PHONE ACCESS
When immigrants are unable to hear the voices of family and friends
Post-Detention Accompaniment Network (PDAN)
Volunteer drivers take released immigrants to the airport, bus station or to access local services
Tales from the AIDNW Welcome Center
News and Events
IN-PERSON VISITORS NEEDED
Asylum seekers are brought from the southern border to the Northwest ICE Processing Center on the Tacoma tideflats. They can spend months in detention here, and many are eventually deported. Detained persons can request in-person visits by an AIDNW Visitation Volunteer, and we currently have more requests than we can answer. Please see https://aidnw.org/our-programs/ for details on our Visitation Program and fill out a volunteer application LINK
We continue to greet asylum-seekers who are released from detention, as many as 25 people a day. Your support allows AIDNW to offer coats, backpacks and other needed supplies, or funds to maintain operations. Please see our Amazon wish list or donation details: aidnw.org/donate. Checks can be sent to our office at 1915 Sheridan Ave Tacoma, WA 98405.
Thank you!
It takes a village! We are grateful for all of our community support.
Upcoming Events
March 15, 2023
Community Meeting
10:30 – 12:00 a.m
Our guest speaker will be Melissa Nitsch, Senior Public Engagement Specialist of the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO). The OIDO provides independent oversight of immigration detention facilities, conducts unannounced inspections and handles complaints about potential violations of immigration detention standards.
Please send an email to smartin@aidnw.org to RSVP so that we know how many people to expect.
Please save the date
Seeking Board members, including a Board Chair, to guide this vibrant, vital organization as we work to expand our presence in both the online and local community.
To express interest, please fill out a volunteer application LINK and check "board" at the top
2023 Newsletters
2022 Newsletters
Archive Newsletters
PowerPoint Presentation on AIDNW Services
AIDNW is on Radio Tacoma!
Tune in to hear our monthly reports that feature interviews and heart-warming excerpts from the nightly Welcome Center action. You can listen to the reports at https://radiotacoma.org/aidnw or on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5 pm, Wednesday at 7 pm on 101.9 FM
AIDNW was featured on KGHP Radio's Harbor Chat!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=395209735827197
AIDNW Speaker's Bureau
Want to learn more?
Would your school, church or community group like to learn more about immigration, detention, the Northwest ICE Processing Center and the work of AIDNW? AIDNW Speakers Bureau volunteers are available to make presentations-in person or by Zoom. If you are interested please contact: dcruz@aidnw.org
Tacoma Arts Live video
“Reflections in the Shadow of Tahoma: Welcoming Immigrants” https://vimeo.com/755754981 AIDNW is featured at minute 3:41)
AIDNW was featured on KGHP Radio's Harbor Chat!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=395209735827197
AIDNW Community Mtg September, 2022
A presentation from Refugee Women's Alliance
AIDNW Community Mtg March 16th, 2022
A presentation from Lutheran Community Services Northwest
AIDNW Community Mtg January 19, 2022
Guest speaker Julie Braker, Staff Attorney Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
AIDNW Community Mtg August 18, 2021
Three presentations on the immigrant detainees held and released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center
AIDNW Community Mtg June 16, 2021
Guest Speaker Stephanie Murray, detention center post release coordinator for World Relief
How You Can Help!
Volunteer
Visit or greet a detained immigrant. Provide transportation or other assistance to immigrants staying in our Hospitality House
Participate
Come to one of our bimonthly informational meetings.
Connect
Join our email Google Group to receive notification of news and events, current volunteer opportunities and donation needs
Community Rewards
Link your Fred Meyer rewards card or Amazon Smile Program to support AIDNW
Link your Fred Meyer rewards card to support AIDNW.
Donate
Provide food, clothing, and toiletries, or make a one-time or recurring cash donation to AIDNW
Become an sustaining donor
Recurring monthly donations help us enormously with operational costs
Our Wish List
Many needed items–and more–can be found on our Amazon Wish List