Justice Action Alert: Northwest Detention Center
July 25th - tomorrow! UUs from WA and OR will be gathering at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm with La Resistencia and the Quakers. This is a coordinated event with the UUA Responsive Resolution calling for a nation-wide solidarity effort to raise detention center issues, in particular at Delaney Hall in New Jersey. Delaney Hall is run by the same company as the detention center in Tacoma - The GEO Group.
Also, the UU Solidarity Initiative (coalition of UU organizations and members) is calling for a vigil action for tomorrow to –Justice for Lorenzo. Justice for Johan. Justice for All. ICE Out Day of Action. Both Lorenzo Salgado and Johan Sebastián Guerrero were killed by ICE last week.
There will be a gathering tomorrow at the federal building in Ferndale from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in response to the national call in calling for justice for Lorenzo and Johan, too. Bring your voice and signs to honor the lives lost to ICE. This vigil, brought to you by ICE Out Whatcom, will strictly follow the principles of non-violence. Organizers ask that you keep to the sidewalk and respect each other and the community at all times. For more information, please contact fogchaser76@duck.com.
From Deb Cruz:
Also, I was scanning to see what was going on in the immigration crisis here in Whatcom county. Here’s some of what I discovered.
On June 23rd, Whatcom County has put a moratorium on construction detention centers in the unincorporated areas for one year. :The moratorium, which is not in response to any pending applications from the federal government, will give the county time to develop land use regulations for civil detention facilities, the siting of which could have impacts to utility systems, traffic and public health and safety, according to the draft ordinance (https://whatcom.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15502155&GUID=4C12C4A8-10CD-4946-99AD-957475FCEDDC).
On July 22nd, ICE raided Premier Packing and detained an estimated 50 workers as a part of a series of raids at the plant (https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/23/ice-agents-posing-as-aid-workers-arrest-several-lynden-packing-plant-employees/). This means more families in Whatcom Co. that will be needing help. If anyone know who Erin Burns is, please let me know. WAISN says ICE raids and pickups have increased substantially since the beginning of the year and I suspect will continue to increase as the federal budget that passed the obscene increase for ICE.
C2C released a statement that "estimates there have been over 100 arrests in the past two months in Whatcom County alone.” (https://www.thenorthernlight.com/stories/ice-ramp-up-intensifies-fear-in-whatcom-skagit,44307) and this was before the 50 on Wednesday. Liz Darrow reports that "immigrants have also been followed and taken outside courthouses in both Skagit and Whatcom counties — despite the Courts Open to All Act prohibiting federal authorities from arresting people at or near courthouses in Washington.” Darrow is reported to say further that "first processed in a little-known ICE facility in Ferndale that the agency does not list on its website. Families are often left guessing or completely unaware of where their loved ones have been taken until they are moved to Tacoma.”
WFCIS volunteers and donors make a difference in the lives of 50 families with an estimated membership of 270 family members. Over 65% of the family members are children and youth. August Sign-up for Transporting Boxes (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-64552282-august) and Receive and organize food donations, fill boxes, and help load delivery vehicles. August Sign-up Prep Food Donation Boxes, Tuesdays 10:45 – 1:00 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-64552210-august. I suspect they are likely going to require more food donations with the uptick in recent ICE activities.
Port of Bellingham issues resolution "that port property will not be used for civil immigration detention or enforcement support facilities. It also specifies that a judicial warrant is required for any federal civil immigration enforcement activity to occur in port-owned spaces.” https://mybellinghamnow.com/news/297792-port-commission-votes-to-restrict-civil-immigration-actions-on-their-properties/
As far as I can tell, protests near the unnamed Ferndale detention center are still continuing from 4-6 pm on Fridays at 5200 Pacific Highway in Ferndale.
Whatcom Racial Equity Commission has a specific webpage for immigration issues: https://www.whatcomracialequity.org/immigrationresources
Folks can continue to donate to IRIS (Immigrant Resources & Immediate Services) in Bellingham https://irisnw.org/donate/. I suspect their need is going to increase as well.
Believe it or not! Lynden is home to Racial Unity Now https://racialunitynow.org/.