Local refugees rally for more support in Olympia

The north steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia filled with refugees on Feb. 27 — refugees who now call Kent, Federal Way and the surrounding areas home.

Around 300 people carried signs on the steps, and a lineup of local legislators shared personal stories as part of the New Americans Legislative Education and Advocacy Day.

Demonstrators and speakers shared messages asking for more English classes and culturally relevant support, and spoke to needs around housing and employment.

The demonstration was organized by the New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research (NAAPR) and represented recent and past refugee arrivals from over 20 countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Bhutan, according to interviews and to NAAPR.

A main theme at the advocacy day was the desire to be recognized as members of the community, to say “we are here, please pay attention,” said Someireh Amirfaiz, Executive Director of the NAAPR.

Signs reminded elected leaders that refugees are their constituents, that many of them are able to vote, and that they pay taxes and contribute to the economy.

“None of us want handouts,” Amirfaiz said. “We want a hand up … give us the resources we need temporarily so we can contribute to this country because the success of this country is our success … we have no intention of going back.”

Although it is a budget deficit year, Amirfaiz said there are reforms that could be beneficial to the refugee and immigrant communities without any additional cost.

Amirfaiz explained that “it’s not always about money. It’s really about good policy management and good fiscal management of the programs that we already have.”

Specific proposals and requests were for the creation of a Washington Office of Language Access, which would oversee efforts including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adults and youth.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos of the 37th Legislative District spoke to successes of the past year in refugee support, including expanding dual language education, developing a coordinated state plan for refugee resettlement, and “precision funding to increase immigrant access to healthcare.”

Upcoming goals included affordable housing, culturally responsive student support in school and after school, community-based childcare, and bilingual mental and behavioral health providers.

“Our nation is unique among nations in that a great number of people who live on American soil can trace their roots back to a different country. We are a nation of nations, and that’s what produces the greatness of our country. Immigrants and refugees have a special place and a special role to play in upholding the hallowed history of this country, reminding us… of our nation’s foundation as an asylum for religious and political minorities who flee persecution of government,” Santos said.

Some attendees shared their experiences with long waitlists to access English classes. The Hub: Federal Way Higher Education Center is one of those locations that offers ESOL classes. Hub director Tammy Hauge shared in a recent update that they have multiple classes that fill up quickly and always have a waitlist.

English classes at Renton Technical College are also in high demand. For winter quarter 2025, the college reports on its website that out of the 428 students who completed an interest form, 227 were able to be offered the placement test.

Renton Technical College provides links to other resources, including the King County Library System (KCLS) that provides free citizenship classes and English language practice opportunities, and a variety of books and learning programs.

Free access to language learning program Rosetta Stone was also announced by KCLS in a Facebook post in February 2024.

Other programs are offered through refugee resettlement programs like World Relief in Kent, but recent federal funding freezes are interrupting their ability to offer resources like those classes.

Local representatives shared their personal stories of how they personally relate to the refugees there or how they are working in their districts.

Rep. Janice Zahn of the 41st Legislative District shared that when she came to the United Stated as an immigrant in 1976, she first lived in Federal Way. At that time many refugees were coming to the area from Vietnam and in her speech she shared the impact this had on her.

“What I came to learn is that when you don’t have the safety net and the support and the language, how difficult it is to settle into the United States and be successful as community members,” Zahn said. “We have an obligation to make sure that you’re being supported and your voice is being heard.”

Other elected officials who spoke included Rep. My-Linh Thai (D-41st District), Rep. Brianna Thomas (D-34th District), Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D-48th District), Rep. Julia Reed (D-36th District), Sen. Tina Orwall (D-33rd District), Sen. Vandana Slatter (D-48th District) and Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-45th District).

Other speakers included Sahar Fathi, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s policy director; Shahrzad Shams from Peyvand; and Haseena Kohistany from Kabul Seattle Community Services.

Faisal Aloosi and his mother Nidal Alnili moved to Federal Way five years ago and came to the Capitol to advocate for housing and for programs for adults with disabilities. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Over 200 refugees and immigrants attended the advocacy day on Feb. 27 in Olympia to ask for more support. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Sen. Tina Orwall of the 33rd Legislative District spoke about the importance of supporting and appreciating the contributions of refugees and immigrants in the communities she represents. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

The Advocacy day began with a performance by a Nepalese dancer in front of the north steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror