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Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

 

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 the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs 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.  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

5/3/2022

3/31/2025

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

Natalie Ghayoumi 

Member

5/9/2023

3/31/2026

Maurice Lekea 

Member 

4/1/2024

3/31/2027

Andy Mejia 

Youth Member 

11/28/2023

3/31/2025

Eunice Ngwasi Kalembo

Member 

4/30/2024

3/31/2025

Linus Nyaga

Member

4/30/2024

3/31/2027

Thierry Ruboneka

Member

5/3/2022

3/31/2025

Alicia Sands 

Member 

5/9/2023

3/31/2027

Emmanuella Shasha

Member 

4/30/2024

3/31/2026

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)

 CIRA Commissioners celebrating Tacoma's 2019 Welcoming Week. Left to right: Saiyare Refaei, Alma Vargas, Jason Gamboa, Perla Gamboa, and Jefferson Mok.

2019 CIRA Commissioners celebrating Tacoma's Welcoming Week.

Left to right: Saiyare Refaei, Alma Vargas, Jason Gamboa, Perla Gamboa and

Jefferson Mok.

 

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.

 

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

 

Time of Day

5:30 PM

Fourth Monday of the Month

 

Location

Tacoma Municipal Building

Room 243

747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA  or via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82877122622?pwd=vzPBsPX1YvQbOS5haBnEEHqdF0YVLd.1

 

Webinar 828 7712 2622, Passcode 98402

 

Additional Information

HRC and CIA Comm