Free immigration legal counsel is now expanding in Walla Walla, Washington, as local organizations respond to a sharp rise in ICE activity and growing fear of deportation in 2025. Community groups and legal aid providers are working together to protect immigrant families and offer urgent support as federal enforcement increases.
Walla Walla has seen a surge in requests for help since early 2025, when federal immigration enforcement actions became more frequent under President Trump’s administration. According to a July 2025 report from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, new resources and legal aid are being deployed to meet the urgent needs of immigrants facing possible detention or deportation. Local groups say the expansion of free immigration legal counsel is a direct response to these changes.
Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors (CWJFON), the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition (WWIRC), and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) are leading the charge. These organizations now offer a wider range of free legal services, rapid response support, and community education. CWJFON, which has an office in Walla Walla, provides free legal help for low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. They are also recruiting more volunteers and running workshops to teach people about their rights.
The local rapid response team, led by Abigail Scholar of CWJFON and Abby Muro of WWIRC, operates around the clock. The team responds to reports of ICE activity, helps families during emergencies, and works to stop the spread of false information. As of February 2025, the team had about 30 active members, but that number is growing as more people seek help.
In February and June 2025, hundreds of people marched in downtown Walla Walla to protest federal deportation policies and show support for immigrant communities. These protests reflect the high level of anxiety and the strong sense of unity among residents. “We’re seeing real fear in mixed-status families,” said Abby Muro, Executive Director of WWIRC. “It’s important to have trained citizens ready to step in and support their neighbors during enforcement actions.”
CWJFON offers free legal help for many immigration issues, including adjustment of status, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), work permits, family-based petitions, citizenship, removal hearings, and U visas for victims of crime. Their services focus on low-income immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and people who are especially vulnerable, such as victims of domestic violence, farm workers, and LGBTQ+ individuals. They provide help in English and Spanish, and can arrange for interpreters in other languages.
NWIRP also provides free or low-cost legal representation for immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees. They handle cases involving citizenship, asylum, DACA, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), and juvenile cases. To qualify, people must have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $31,300 for an individual or $64,300 for a family of four in 2025. NWIRP gives priority to cases where people face hardship, abuse, or other serious risks.
WWIRC focuses on advocacy, education, and emergency aid. The group partners with legal service providers and runs the local rapid response network. They keep the community informed about changes in immigration policy and help people find the support they need.
To access free immigration legal counsel in Walla Walla, residents can:
- Contact CWJFON or NWIRP directly by phone or email to request an intake appointment. Be ready to explain your immigration issue and provide basic information about your situation.
- Attend community legal clinics or rapid response trainings, which are announced by WWIRC and partner organizations.
- In emergencies, such as ICE raids or detentions, call the rapid response hotline run by WWIRC and the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. A trained volunteer or legal advocate will respond quickly to provide support and connect you with a lawyer.
Since early 2025, ICE activity and deportations have increased across the United States 🇺🇸, leading to widespread fear among immigrant communities. In Walla Walla, some families have reported avoiding work, school, and public places because they are afraid of being detained. Even though local police do not take part in federal immigration enforcement, the community has come together to offer legal and emotional support, fight misinformation, and stand up for immigrant rights.
Reports of ICE sightings—some of which turned out to be false—have added to the anxiety. The rapid response team plays a key role in checking these reports and stopping panic before it spreads. “Accurate information and community solidarity are more important than ever,” said Abigail Scholar, Executive Director of CWJFON.
Student leaders from Whitman College have also taken action, organizing protests and calling for an end to mass deportations. They want to remind the public that immigrants are people with families and dreams, not just numbers in a system.
The expansion of free immigration legal counsel in Walla Walla means that more people at risk of deportation or facing urgent immigration problems can get the help they need. Immigrants now have access to a strong network of advocates, lawyers, and volunteers who can provide both legal and emotional support. If ICE raids or detentions happen, families can get immediate help to understand their rights and take the right steps.
Local organizations are working hard to recruit and train new volunteers to meet the rising demand for services. More legal clinics and community education events are planned for the coming months. Advocates are also watching for possible changes in state and federal immigration policy that could affect funding and the types of services available.
Protests and advocacy efforts are expected to continue as long as federal enforcement remains strict and community tensions stay high. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing mobilization in Walla Walla is part of a larger trend across the United States 🇺🇸, where local groups are stepping up to fill gaps in legal support and protect immigrant rights.
For those seeking help, here are the main contacts:
- Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors (CWJFON): (509) 300-1101, [email protected], cwjfon.org
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP): nwirp.org
- Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition (WWIRC): wwirc.org
- Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network: See WAISN’s official site for the statewide rapid response hotline and resources
Anyone in Walla Walla who needs free immigration legal counsel should contact CWJFON or NWIRP right away, or reach out to WWIRC for rapid response and support. All services are confidential and available to everyone, no matter their immigration status. For more information on immigration rights and enforcement, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and deportations.
DACA → Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protects eligible immigrant youth from deportation and grants work permits.
Rapid response team → A group providing immediate legal support and community assistance during ICE raids or emergencies.
Adjustment of status → A legal process allowing immigrants to apply for permanent residency without leaving the U.S.
VAWA → Violence Against Women Act, allows certain immigrants to apply for protection from abuse.
This Article in a Nutshell
Walla Walla expands free immigration legal counsel amid growing ICE enforcement in 2025. Local groups CWJFON, WWIRC, and NWIRP offer urgent legal support, rapid response teams, and community education to protect immigrant families from deportation and misinformation, strengthening solidarity and access to justice for vulnerable immigrants.
— By VisaVerge.com
