Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

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.

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

Resources

The City of Tacoma has developed an Immigration Resources web page to support members of our community who may be seeking information, services, or assistance on immigration-related matters. It includes resources, actions taken by the City Council, policy and legislative information, and more.