Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (KIAC)

Support Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (KIAC), the only organization in the West Sound/Salish region providing direct services and referrals specific to immigrants.

Serving immigrants in Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, and Clallam counties, we offer a safe and welcoming hub of services focused on the well-being and empowerment of immigrants and their families.  

The Seattle Times recently published an article highlighting the work KIAC does to support immigrant youth in our communities. You can read the full article here.

While KIAC works with individuals of all ages, we are seeing an increased demand for the services we provide to young immigrants – immigrants like Chano*.  

Chano grew up in a small village in Guatemala. Although his parents tried to take care of him, he had a very hard life. There was never enough food, and Chano was hungry all the time. Chano was often cold at night, as he didn’t have any blankets or enough clothing. When it rained, water ran under the walls of the house and turned the floor into mud. When Chano was 12 years old, a Guatemalan gang tried to recruit him. They threatened to hurt or kill him if he didn’t join. Chano refused, and they beat him and cut him with a knife. Chano’s family didn’t have the money to take him to a doctor. Out of fear and need, he fled to the United States. 

Once here, Chano was placed into removal proceedings. One of KIAC’s Accredited Representatives met him shortly before his immigration court hearing, and KIAC took on his case. KIAC team members convinced the immigration judge to postpone Chano’s hearing while we applied for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Two years after applying, Chano was granted SIJS. This year, with KIAC’s help, Chano became a legal permanent resident.  

The New York Times recently published an expose highlighting the exploitation of migrant children working in factories, slaughterhouses, construction sites and agriculture throughout the United States. Due to poverty, political unrest, and unsafe situations, immigrant children are coming to the U.S. in record numbers. In the last two years alone, more than 250,000 children have entered the United States by themselves. Once here, they may be at risk of falling into exploitative and dangerous situations. 

KIAC is here for these immigrant youth.  

KIAC’s Immigration Legal Services is working with a number of young immigrants like Chano to petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. SIJS is an immigration status available to children under the age of 21 who are seeking safety in the United States after having been abused, neglected or abandoned by one or both parents. SIJS is one pathway for immigrant youth to apply for and obtain permanent residence in the United States.  

KIAC’s Family Services offers young immigrants the necessary help to access local services and integrate into life in Kitsap County. These services include information about and referrals for:  

• enrolling in school,
• securing stable housing, and 
• acquiring medical insurance and medical care, among others.

Along with this logistical support, KIAC aims to be a place where relationships are built and community is found. We have a number of teens who regularly volunteer with our vaccine and holiday events, and we have plans to invest more directly in helping them connect with one another, their cultures of origin and other caring adults.  

Your gift to KIAC today supports our mission and funds our work. Each gift to KIAC through Kitsap Great Give is boosted by a bonus pool!  

In 2022, KIAC served over 2,000 clients. KIAC has worked with clients from over 70 countries. 

We do this through our three service lines:

Legal Services

• naturalization 
• DACA renewals 
• SIJS 
• Green Card renewals 
• asylum claims 
• work authorizations 
• and so much more

Family Services

• free health and vaccine clinics
• resource navigation, including information about drivers licenses, English classes, housing, employment, and more
• assistance with clothing, food, rent, and baby essentials
• advocacy for greater accessibility in programs and policies at a local and state level

Tax & Business Services

• state and federal tax returns
• ITINs and
• business license applications

We couldn’t do this work without the support of our community. Thank you for considering a gift to KIAC. We appreciate your partnership and solidarity!

*name changed for confidentiality