Immigration services, or “notario,” fraud is illegal under Washington state’s Immigration Services Fraud Prevention Act (ISFPA). Signed into law in 2011 at the request of the Attorney General’s Office, the law protects consumers from unauthorized entities that peddle assistance completing immigration forms and navigating immigration processes that legally can only be provided by qualified attorneys […]
Cheated — Fighting scams targeting minorities and ethnic neighborhoods
By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly Con artists and their deceptive tactics continue to get vulnerable immigrants to hand over their cash. New America Media teamed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and got law enforcement officials and community advocates to come together for a press conference billed as “Spotting and Avoiding Scams in Our […]
Understanding immigration reform and its local impact
By Minal Singh Northwest Asian Weekly Since this is the time of the New Year, people may want to set their affairs in order.
28-year-old Iranian American Sahar Fathi announces run for state representative
Sahar Fathi, former legislative aide to City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, declared her intention to run for state representative of the 36th District. Fathi, who sits on the boards of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and ACLU Washington, vows to stand for progressive sustainability in Olympia. Fathi earned a law degree and a master’s degree from […]
Saving the exploited from human trafficking
By Justin Vorhees FOR NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY A runaway teen is lured into prostitution. An exchange student is recruited by an escort service. An illegal immigrant is forced into labor without pay. Whether coerced by threat of physical abuse or psychologically manipulated by promises of a better future, victims of modern day slavery are often […]
Oct. 16: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project receives national recognition
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) received the 2009 Daniel Levy Award from the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild. This national award came on the heels of a separate recognition of the NWIRP by the City of Seattle and King County for the organization’s work on behalf of immigrant survivors of domestic violence. The NWIRP just celebrated 25 years of service to the immigrant community in Washington state.
Gregoire calls for deportation of jailed illegal aliens
SEATTLE (AP) — To save money, Gov. Chris Gregoire wants illegal aliens serving time in state prisons deported.