Establishment
On
December 12, 2017, the City of Tacoma passed Resolution 39892
to support the creation of the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
(CIRA). The purpose of the Commission is
to better engage Tacoma’s immigrant and refugee communities and to work with
community partners and staff to identify and advance positive outcomes related
to removing barriers for immigrant and refugee communities in the City of
Tacoma.
Membership
On
October 26, 2021, the City passed  Resolution 40858 increasing CIRA membership to
thirteen (13) members (to include one youth or young adult under the age of 25
at the time of appointment) and one alternate. City Council passed Resolution 41632 to set a priority to include one member who is 65 or older, when possible. CIRA members are recommended by Community Vitality and Safety Committee
(CVS) and appointed by the City Council to study problems and issues
specifically impacting the immigrant and refugee communities in the City of
Tacoma and provide written recommendations, context, and input to Tacoma’s
policy makers toward the development and implementation of programs, services,
and practices specific to the purpose of furthering immigrant and refugee
access to and participation in Tacoma’s economic, cultural, and civic
life.
Each
Commissioner shall serve for a term of three years. No member shall serve more than three
consecutive terms.
Current Commissioners:
Name
|
Position
|
Term
Start
|
Term End
|
|
Hugo Nicolas
|
Chair
|
4/1/2025
|
3/31/2028
|
|
Emmanuella Shasha
|
First Vice Chair
|
4/30/2024
|
3/31/2026
|
|
Iuliia Didkivska
|
Second Vice Chair
|
4/30/2024
|
3/31/2026
|
| Lydia Zepeda |
Secretary |
5/9/2023 |
3/31/2026 |
| Hugo Cruz-Moro |
Member |
3/18/2025
|
3/31/2027 |
|
Natalie Ghayoumi
|
Member
|
5/9/2023
|
3/31/2026
|
|
Maurice Lekea
|
Member
|
4/1/2024
|
3/31/2027
|
|
Linus Nyaga
|
Member
|
4/30/2024
|
3/31/2027
|
|
Thierry Ruboneka
|
Member
|
4/1/2025
|
3/31/2028
|
|
Alicia Sands
|
Member
|
5/9/2023
|
3/31/2027
|
|
Nixon Tenga
|
Member
|
4/30/2024
|
3/31/2027
|
|
Maricres Valdez
Castro
|
Member
|
5/9/2023
|
3/31/2026
|
Organizational
Documents
Commission
on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs – Resolution 39892
(Spanish Version)
Welcoming
Cities – Resolution 39116
(Spanish Version)
Immigrant
and Refugee Task Force - Resolution 39642
(Spanish Version)
2025 Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Annual Retreat.
Top row from left to right: Maricres Valdez Castro, Emmanuella Shaska, Nixon Tenga, Maurice Lekea, Alicia Sands, Lydia Zepeda
Bottom row from left to right: Eunice Ngwasi Kalembo, Hugo Nicolas, Iulia Didkivska Natalie Ghayoumi, Linus Nyaga
Community
Resources
The
Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs provides this list of community
resources as a reference to assist individuals in finding support and services.
Please note that we do not endorse, recommend, or guarantee the services of any
organization listed. We encourage you to contact these organizations directly
to learn more about their services and determine if they meet your needs.
Know Your Rights
Many people in our community are concerned about immigration enforcement activity. The City of Tacoma has prepared a list of resources to assist and support people who may be seeking information or assistance. To learn more, please visit Immigrant and Refuge Affairs
Advocates
for Immigrants in Detention Northwest
www.aidnw.org
(253) 343-4324
Associated Ministries of Tacoma Pierce County
www.associatedministries.org
(253) 383-3056
Northwest
Immigrant Rights Project
www.nwirp.org
(253)
235-9279
Tacoma
Community House
www.tacomacommunityhouse.org
(253)
383-3951
Tacoma
Pro Bono
https://tacomaprobono.org/
(253)
572-5134