The quarterly statewide Refugee Advisory Council Virtual Public Forum will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The DSHS Statewide Refugee Advisory Council helps ensure the coordination of services for refugees and immigrants and raises awareness of issues that affect refugee and immigrant communities throughout Washington state.
This quarter’s virtual public forum is centered around the impact of federal changes on Apple Health for refugees and immigrants. The agenda will include a presentation from the Health Care Authority on Apple Health, information about ORIA’s refugee health and wellness programming and local county updates from the Refugee Advisory Council.
We invite you to attend to learn more about these important topics. To receive the calendar invitation, please complete ORIA’s Stakeholdler Contact Form. If you have already completed this form in the past, you do not need to complete it again.
To learn more about the Refugee Advisory Council, visit ORIA’s website.
Family Separation Rapid Response Team
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families’ (DCYF) Family Separation Rapid Response Team is working to improve policies and practices statewide to protect children whose parents or guardians are detained or deported due to immigration status. The Team was created by Executive Order 25-04 which was signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on Jan. 27, 2025.
The goals of the Team are to:
Recommend improvements to statewide policies and practices
Develop and share resources with families at risk of separation
Collaborate with trusted community-based organizations
The Team does not share information with federal immigration enforcement. It also does not respond directly to individual instances of family separation.
If you need to report immigration activity, please call the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Deportation Defense Hotline at 1-844-724-3737 or visit www.waisn.org.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Unveils First Changes to Naturalization Test in Multi-Step Overhaul of American Citizenship Standards
On September 17th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test. According to the press release “the 2025 test assesses an alien’s understanding of U.S. history and government in line with the statutory requirement and is one of many steps in an ongoing effort to restore integrity to the naturalization process and meet congressional intent.”
The new test was implemented starting on September 18th. For more information, see the Federal Register notice. Find test implementation and administration information, test questions and study guides online at the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 'Neighborhood Checks' for Immigrants Applying for U.S. Citizenship
According to a policy memorandum released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Aug. 22, 2025, USCIS will be restarting a process of “neighborhood checks” for immigrants who are applying for U.S. citizenship. This process has not been in effect since prior to 1991, when USCIS began waiving these in-person investigations in favor of background and criminal checks conducted by the FBI. These neighborhood checks may involve interviewing individuals in an applicant’s neighborhood and place of work. According to the memo, USCIS officers still maintain the right to waive the in-person investigation, and may request testimonial letters from a citizenship applicant’s associates to help them make this determination. The memo also suggests that citizenship applicants can proactively submit testimonial letters with their application.
Leave Policy Changes Include Good News for Immigrants
The Office of Financial Management has updated the statewide Leave Policy (2.09) has now been updated to reflect legislative changes effective as of July 2025. These changes include the fact that sick leave can now be used to prepare for or participate in immigration-related proceedings, including attending hearings (RCW 49.46.210; SHB 1875).
Win a Washington experience from SmartHealth!
You still have two more chances to win a $500 gift card for a Washington experience from one of the following businesses:
Hotels.com
Airbnb
REI
Washington State Parks store
The deadline to be entered into the second Washington Experience Giveaway drawing is September 30, 2025.
How to enter
First, complete your SmartHealth well-being assessment. Then, report completion of the SmartHealth Washington Experience Giveaway featured activity. Please note that you only need to enter once to be eligible to win any of the drawings.
When are the deadlines?
Enter by the following dates to be eligible for each drawing:
General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.
Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program mentors are current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors are ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees.
The program’s goals are to facilitate a more culturally and ethnically diverse state workforce which, in turn, will allow us to serve our customers better, and to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community.
Research shows that a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions.
Become a WIN mentee
Are you new to state service?
Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
Get support from a WIN mentor. Become a WIN mentee.
Start by meeting our mentors. Review their bios and see if there is someone you would feel comfortable connecting with.
Establish a formal mentoring relationship by completing our online Mentoring Request Form
Become a WIN Mentor
Mentors must be current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors must be ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees. Submit a Mentor Application Form if you are interested in being a WIN Mentor.
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
Support the professional development of immigrant state employees. Recommend strategies to advance recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership development. Educate state agencies on the experience, skills and knowledge of immigrants and the value of a diverse workforce.
WHAT WE DO:
Provide a support structure, educational resources and leadership assistance for immigrant state employees. Encourage immigrants to consider the state as an employer of choice through inter-agency and external outreach activities. Serve as a resource for the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources division and state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
