“At this extraordinary time in our nation’s history,
we are called to affirm our profound commitment to the
fundamental principles of justice, equity and compassion, to truth and the core values of American society. …
we affirm our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
We will oppose any and all unjust government actions to deport, register, discriminate, or despoil. As people of conscience, we declare our commitment to translate our values into action as we stand on the side of love with the most vulnerable among us.”
Opening words of the Declaration of Conscience, joint statement
of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, January 2017
Activity on immigration issues is substantive for Unitarian Universalists with our national partner organizations Side with Love and the UU Service Committee. UUs in Washington State have been standing for the rights of undocumented individuals at the Northwest ICE Processing (Detention Center) in Tacoma, WA and are engaged in accompaniment services, working with migrant farmworkers, supporting refugee families and more. Though COVID heavily impacted our presence in the immigration sphere over the past several years, we are rebuilding.
Regional ICE processing and detention centers:
Washington: Northwest Detention Center.
Oregon: Oregon has succeeded in defeating any attempts to establish a detention center or any other overnight ICE facilities.
Idaho: Elmore County Detention Center in Mountain Home.
Alaska: Anchorage Correctional Complex (temporary, short-term)
Wyoming: Natrona County Detention Center (local jail) in Casper and Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs.
Montana: Montana doesn’t have a dedicated facility but contracts with local jails to serve as short-term holding facilities like Helena ICE Facility and the Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls.