2632 NE 80th St.
Seattle
The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice-NW (JCIJ-NW) is sponsoring a Hanukkah Bond Fundraiser to raise money for the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Bond Fund and secure the release of immigrants from the NW Detention Center. All are welcome!
6:30 p.m., reception featuring music by Kesselgarden, wine, and desserts
7 p.m. Program:
Emcee: Jessyn Farrell, Former State Representative from the 46th Legislative District. Current Senior Vice President at Civic Ventures
Jews, Deportation, and Immigration Restriction: Devin E. Naar, UW Associate Professor of Sephardic Studies, Jewish Studies, and International Studies
Navigating Bond Release and Asylum Today: Hamza Zafer, UW Assistant Professor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations & Julian Gantt, Community Advocate
Narrative of a Detainee: Shared by an asylum-seeking detainee incarcerated in the Northwest Detention Center
Why a Bond Fund: Eric Holzapfel on Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN)’s Bond Fund
TICKETS: Just $36 each, tickets can be purchased here. All funds will go directly to the WAISN Bond Fund.
Co-sponsorships of $200 are welcome and all co-sponsors will be listed in the event program.
ABOUT THE JEWISH COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE NW:
Recognizing the need for a strong, regional Jewish voice on immigrant justice, the JCIJ-NW was formed in 2017 to coordinate and increase activism within the local Jewish community around immigrant and refugee justice. Motivated by the long history of Jews as refugees and immigrants, we draw inspiration from the Torah: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:34). The Jewish Coalition currently unites representatives from Temple Beth Am, Kol HaNeshamah, Kadima, Congregation Beth Shalom, Kavana, Eitz Or, and Bet Alef as well as other members of the Jewish community.
ABOUT THE BOND FUND:
The WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Bond Fund will be underwritten by the Seattle Credit Union. This revolving bond fund will be used to bond individuals out of the NW Detention Center in Tacoma.
WHY A BOND FUND?
Individuals have an estimated 70% increased chance of winning their case if they are bonded out of detention. They can compile evidence to defend asylum cases, earn income, hire lawyers (which individuals do not have the right to in immigration court), receive emotional support, be present for their families, and access adequate health care. Immigration judges set unregulated, arbitrary bond amounts, ranging from $1,500-$35,000. One fifth of immigrants in detention cannot afford to pay the bond amount and remain incarcerated in the detention center.