Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

Founding and History

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project was founded in 1984 in response to a wave of asylum seekers from Central America. Various organizations and churches began to provide sanctuary to these asylum seekers who were not likely to receive asylum status and thus faced deportation. The project was formed to provide legal representation for asylum seekers, specifically focused on Washington State, and has continued to represent immigrants and asylum seekers since that time in other states. ¹

Financials

For 2022, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project reported $16,986,986 in revenue, of which $16,552,872 was derived from grants and contributions. It reported $16,914,760 in expenses, of which $13,788,316 was spent on salaries and compensation and $504,468 was spent on grants. It ended the year with a surplus of $72,226 and net assets of $17,166,704. ⁸

Because the project receives more than $750,000 in government grants, it is required to file a yearly audit with the IRS. The audit for the year 2023 indicates that it received $3,916,245 through government contracts and grants. ⁹

Organization Philosophy

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project states that its mission is to protect the dignity of immigrants in the United States by protecting their rights under the law. This is framed with left-of-center language that cites widespread “systemic oppression” and promotes “diversity and inclusiveness.” In practice, these stated values translate as working to facilitate migration into the United States through providing legal services, lobbying for expansionist policies, and filing lawsuits. ²

This attitude was expressed in an open letter to President Joe Biden that the project signed onto that was published November 15, 2024 in the wake of the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president. The letter urged President Biden to take drastic action with his remaining time in office to, among other things, close down up to 90 percent of immigrant detention facilities, stop the expansion of new detention facilities, and to release as many detainees as possible. ¹⁰

Projects and Initiatives

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project focuses on providing legal services to migrants, whether that be for asylum, citizenship, or some other form of residency. It also provides legal services to fight deportation, and opposes the use of immigrant detention centers. ^{3 4 5}

The project has also had a litigation focused legal unit since 2005. This department seeks to overturn federal practices and rules and regulations concerning immigration. ⁶

Leadership

Malou Chavez is the executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, a position she has held since June of 2023, when she replaced the previous executive director, Jorge Barón, who had held the position for 15 years.  Chavez began her career as an intern with the project, eventually becoming a deputy director for the five years prior to becoming executive director. ^{11 12}