Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support February 24th Newsletter
WFCIS: Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support
February 24, 2026
We are people of faith seeking to support immigrants in Whatcom County. Though our traditions are diverse, we share the value of celebrating and defending our immigrant neighbors.
General Meeting: February 26, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Mt. Baker Room
Typically, WFCIS General Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month. We appreciate your flexibility regarding the change of dates.
This month we will:
Learn about groups seeking to partner with WFCIS in new ways to serve more immigrant families and individuals in Whatcom County and make decisions about next steps,
Consider and make decisions on how to most effectively use the increasing resources we have in volunteers and funds,
Discuss ways we can Witness on immigration issues and support for our immigrant neighbors,
Update the group on safety recommendations.
ICE Activity in Whatcom County
We recently learned that according to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), based on statewide reports to WAISN, the three most active counties in Washington State are King, Yakima, and Whatcom. Per capita, Yakima and Whatcom are similar, and both show a rate three times higher than King County. We know from WFCIS support to families that 71 Whatcom families have been disrupted by some kind of ICE action. The local WAISN group provides rapid response to incidents of ICE activity and accompaniment for those needing transport to such things as court cases, legal meetings, or doctor’s appointments.
Volunteering with WFCIS
WFCIS volunteers are terrific and have fun working together. We really appreciate it when you can sign up below to tell us when you are available. You are always welcome to come on Tuesdays if you have time or just want to see the process for the first time.
If you would like to work on a team to organize donations, label boxes and fill boxes from 10:45 – 12:45 on Tuesdays during the month of March, sign-up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-62288359accept
If you have a vehicle that can hold 20 or more boxes, sign up here to transport boxes from the food bank to the First Congregational Church between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays during the month of March:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAA2FA6FB6-62288541-transport
If you would like to know more about delivering boxes throughout the county, contact Annette Holcomb at WhatcomFCIS@gmail.com.
If you have ideas about increasing the WFCIS role in Witnessing support for our immigrant neighbors or have creative ideas about community connections, please plan to attend our General Meeting and share.
First Congregational Church North Social Hall 10:45 – 11:45
Donations that Work Every Week:
Eggs,
Yogurt, queso, and mozzarella cheese
Cilantro, peppers, Roma tomatoes, tomatillos
Cutie oranges, bananas, limes
Rice (32 oz packages of long grain rice are terrific for example)
Dried pinto beans in 16) packages are great
Special item this week: packages of corn tortillas
Supporting our immigrant neighbors is a community effort!
Provide funding for legal services and rent support: IRIS, Immigrant Resources, and Immediate Support, www.irisnw.org
Become trained as an ICE observer: WAISN, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, www.waisn.org
Become a trained accompaniment driver for those attending court hearings: WAISN, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, www.waisn.org
Support groups that are providing information for the community and immigrant families:
League of Women Voters Immigrant Committee, https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/immigration
Northwest Immigration Rights Project, NWRIP, www.nwrip.org
RenewNW, renew-nw.org. A new non-profit hoping to provide a coordinating information hub for immigrants.
Non-violent Political Action: Indivisible Bellingham, www.indivisiblebellingham.org