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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Michelle S. Muri, NWIRP, 206-957-8635 |
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Celebrates 27 Years of Service to Washington State Immigrants and Refugees
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project’s 27th Anniversary Celebration will take place this Friday, May 13, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the Experience Music Project’s dramatic Sky Church. A reception featuring aerialist Michele Frances, mini-live auction and wine pull will be accompanied by a brief program and awards. This year, NWIRP will present its Golden Door Award to Michael Concannon and its Amicus Awards to Omar Riojas & DLA Piper and K&L Gates.About Michael Concannon
Immigrants in detention include families, people who have been in the US for years, survivors of torture, asylum seekers, pregnant women, and mentally and physically disabled individuals. The Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma is the fourth-largest immigration detention center in the country. Over 90% of those who face deportation cases while they are detained at this facility are not represented by a lawyer and must face an immigration judge on their own. In the past four years Mike Concannon has provided pro bono representation to over 55 detained immigrants and refugees, more than any other law firm or attorney in the region. It is with great pleasure that we honor him tonight with the Golden Door Award to recognize his remarkable contribution.
About Omar Riojas and DLA Piper
For over four years Maria Luis, a citizen of Guatemala, was separated from her two children following a Nebraska juvenile court order that terminated her parental rights because she was detained due to her immigration status. Omar Riojas of DLA Piper took on the case and served as lead counsel in an appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court, leading to a unanimous decision reversing the order. The court’s decision allowed the Guatemalan mother to regain custody of her children after many years apart. Maria L. v State of Nebraska sets an important precedent, and has raised much needed awareness of the legal needs of immigrants. In recognition of their important work, NWIRP will present an Amicus Award to Mr. Riojas and DLA Piper, for their commitment to extraordinary pro bono work defending the rights of immigrants and refugees.
About K&L Gates
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is excited to honor K&L Gates and attorneys Theo Angelis and Doug Greenswag and former K&L Gates attorney Kymberly Evanson, for their partnership with NWIRP, and in particular their work on behalf of Rennison Castillo. Mr. Castillo is a U.S. Citizen and U.S. Army veteran who was unlawfully detained at the Northwest Detention Center for over seven months. After being released from detention, K&L Gates agreed to join NWIRP in representing him in an action against the United States Government. Through their efforts, a federal district court ruled in favor of Mr. Castillo, leading to a $400,000 settlement and a written apology. In part as a result of the litigation, the federal government has amended its guidelines so that individuals with disputed citizenship claims are released while their cases are pending. For their work on this case, we honor K&L Gates with the Amicus Award.
Please join NWIRP and the immigrant rights community as we gather to celebrate the achievements of the above mentioned awardees and raise funds to fulfill NWIRP’s mission. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. Guests receive two complimentary drink vouchers for each ticket purchased. To attend, register online at www.nwirp.org.
NWIRP’s 27th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, May 13, 2010 from 5:30 to 8:00pm
Location: Sky Church at the Experience Music Project
325 5th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Tickets: $100
NWIRP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. For tax purposes, the fair market value of one ticket is $50.
For questions about tickets or event sponsorship, please contact Koriel Jock, Development Associate by email at koriel@nwirp.org or by phone at (206) 957-8641.
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Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice for low-income immigrants by pursuing and defending their legal status. We focus on providing direct legal services, supported by our education and public policy work. NWIRP is the only entity in the list of “Free Legal Services” that is given to individuals placed in removal (aka deportation) proceedings in Washington State.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Press Releases:
- Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement in National Class Action Lawsuit on Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers
- Vulnerable Immigrants in Deportation Proceedings Unable to Represent Themselves Must Get Counsel and a Hearing
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to Recognize Regional Leaders
- Class Action Lawsuit Forces Policy Change to Protect Detained Immigrants with Serious Mental Disabilities
- Agreement Reached in National Class Action Lawsuit on Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers
- UW Report: Collaboration between King County jails and ICE results in unfair and costly impact
- Widespread Abuse by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Documented in National Wave of Complaints
- Legal Groups to Announce Wave of Cases Highlighting Nationwide Abuses By U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Granger Community Legal Workshop: Get Free Attorney Help With DREAMer Deferred Action Forms
- Seattle/Des Moines Community Legal Workshop: Get Free Attorney Help With DREAMer Deferred Action Forms
- NWIRP places two members on key Shriver Center Leadership Program
- Breaking News: Border Patrol Policy Change Important Victory for Border Communities
- Granger Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Omak Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Bellevue Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Spokane Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Yakima Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Everett Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Mattawa and Yakima Community Legal Workshops: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Olympia/Lacey Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- NWIRP Presents: An Evening at Wing Luke Celebrating 28 Years of Reuniting Families
- Walla Walla Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Pasco Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Seattle/Des Moines Community Legal Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- Wenatchee Community Workshop: Talk to an Attorney About DREAMer Deferred Action
- 10 Members of Congress Join Northern Borders Coalition Demand for Civil Rights Audit of Border Patrol
- Federal Judge Rules that Lawsuit Against Border Patrol Actions on Olympic Peninsula May Move Forward
- Granger Community Workshop: Do you qualify for DREAMer Deferred Action?
- Tacoma Community Workshop – Do you qualify for DREAMer Deferred Action?
- Wednesday: Press Conference - The DREAMer Deferred Action Program Unveiled
- Immigrant Rights and Civil Rights Leaders React to SB1070 Decision and Announce Renewed Efforts to Fight
- Federal Agency Rules Against Use of Border Patrol Agents as Interpreters
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Presents: 28th Anniversary Celebration
- NWIRP Challenges Local Law Enforcement Use of U.S. Border Patrol Agents as “Interpreters”
- Lawsuit Challenges Unconstitutional Stops and Interrogations by Border Patrol Agents on Olympic Peninsula
- Federal Judge Certifies Class Action Asserting Right to Counsel for Immigrant Detainees with Mental Disabilities
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project & Partners Target “Asylum Clock” in Class Action Lawsuit
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Presents: An Evening at Wing Luke, Celebrating 27 Years of Reuniting Families
- Minor Changes to "Secure Communities" Do Not Address Inherent Problems with the Program
- Man Nearly Deported Awaiting Asylum Decision for Sixteen Years
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Celebrates 27 Years of Service to Washington State Immigrants and Refugees
- DHS Agrees to Pay $400,000 to U.S. Citizen, Army Veteran, Unlawfully Detained by Immigration for Over Seven Months
- Federal Court Rules in Favor of NWIRP Client, Reaffirms Protections for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence
- Immigrants Win Right to Representation
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project & Center for Justice Achieve Settlement in Case of Immigrant Detained Unlawfully
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project & Partners File First Class-Action Lawsuit On Behalf of Immigrants with Mental Disabilities
- United States v. Arizona racial profiling law
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Legal Voice, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, National Employment Law Project and ACLU of Washington Unite to Praise Washington Supreme Court Decision Protecting the Integrity of the Court System
- NWIRP to receive national recognition
- NWIRP to Celebrate 25 Years of Serving Immigrant Communities
- NWIRP E.D. Jorge Baron on KUOW 94.9
- NWIRP Wins "Moving Mountains" award from Office of Crime Victims Advocacy
- NWIRP wins City of Seattle Human Rights Award
- Federal Appeals Court Rules For Jamaican Gay Man and NWIRP Client, Finds “Pattern or Practice” of Persecution Against Gay Jamaican Men
- Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Challenging Unreasonable Delays Granting Citizenship
- U.S. Citizen and Army Veteran Spends Nine Months In Detention While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Denies Detaining Citizens
- NWIRP Expresses Its Opposition to Planned Expansion of DHS Detention Center
- Matt Adams Wins National Excellence in Litigation Award