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Redmond residents who are immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are especially impacted by the current federal regulatory environment, facing fear, harassment, uncertainty and trauma regardless of their legal status.
To better understand the current impacts in our community, Councilmembers, Mayor Birney, and staff have met with community-based organizations to better understand their immediate needs for relief and support. In addition to strengthened communication, the Councilmembers heard community leaders and their clear call for rapid response funding to support increased levels of service and resources they are providing to our immigrant community members in Redmond and address gaps caused by federal changes. To match our commitment to a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive community with action, it is proposed that the council allocate $250,000 of funding to an immediate needs grant round focused on support for our immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeking community members. The proposed funding may be distributed to nonprofit organizations currently vetted and funded by the city’s human services grant program in order to support: legal assistance, housing stability, food security, and other needs as a result of current immigration enforcement. This is a one-time funding disbursement in response to unprecedented needs and is not eligible for renewal. Funding should be spent to relieve the immediate needs of Redmond residents, not be used to fund ongoing staff positions, and must be exhausted no later than December 31, 2026.
-- Council Business Meeting memo, 9/16/25
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