The Spokane City Council approved an agreement with the Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition (SIRC) on February 23 to give $100,000 in assistance to immigrants and refugees under the coalition’s Community Justice Fund.
The city’s support comes as the U.S. enters its second year of Trump’s second administration, which has been fraught with more violent immigration enforcement and attacks against immigrant communities, including in Spokane.
The contract was approved on a 6-1 vote. Council member Michael Cathcart was the only vote against.
The $100,000 bolstered SIRC’s existing fund, now known as the Community Justice Fund. Here’s what to know about accessing it:
Who can apply and where?
The Community Justice Fund provides support to immigrants who live in Spokane County, regardless of legal status, according to the form. Family members, community leaders and lawyers can also request assistance on behalf of an immigrant who needs aid.
The application notes that to be eligible, applicants must have explored other community resources first and provide documentation or explanation of those attempts.
To submit a request, go to: https://www.mcasspokane.org/https/wwwsircwacom
Currently, the application only seems to be available in English.
What can you request assistance for?
Requests for financial assistance must be for urgent or unexpected needs that would impact someone’s safety, health, legal status or ability to fulfill legal obligations, according to the application.
Eligible expenses listed in the form include but are not limited to:
- Emergency transportation to immigration court or other required legal appointments
- Urgent communication costs, including for calling a family member in detention or to coordinate legal representation
- Payments for necessary medical appointments required as part of immigration cases
- Expenses for temporary lodging or housing needs due to safety concerns or displacement
- Costs for short-term child care
- Interpretation services for legal or healthcare related appointments
SIRC may also consider one-time assistance for rent under extenuating circumstances for eligible households that: have children, have their primary provider in detention and can show they have financial need through organization referrals.
What about other requests?
The city’s contract with SIRC allows for emergency aid and assistance in line with what’s in a September 2025 letter of intent. That letter outlined assistance for basic needs such as housing, health care and utilities, among other things.
However, SIRC told RANGE in an email that the coalition’s scope of work had changed after the letter was sent and utility costs were no longer eligible.
According to the form, SIRC funds can’t be used for things like: reimbursements, non-emergency bills, ongoing and non-emergency living expenses like food, clothing or gas, utilities and requests that are not directly related to an applicant’s emergency situation.
As for legal representation, the contract restricts the coalition from using taxpayer dollars for that or for lobbying. However, SIRC told RANGE it could provide that assistance based on the availability of other sources of funds.
How much assistance can you request?
As of February 25, there were no limits on the amount people can request, SIRC told RANGE.
But SIRC noted that could change depending on need and equity concerns, seemingly referring to the agreement’s requirements to ensure disbursement equity and inclusivity across Spokane’s immigrant and refugee communities.
What data will SIRC collect from you?
The coalition is required to collect applicants' nationality, zip code, family size and what they intend to use the money for, under the agreement with the city. This is to make sure disbursements are inclusive and equitable across Spokane’s immigrant communities, according to a city document.
The application also asks people to verify eligibility, the nature of their emergency and that other resources were explored.
Disclosure of someone’s documentation status is not required as part of the application and the form assures that applicant information is confidential.
What’s the timeline for receiving a response?
SIRC told RANGE it tries to provide applicants a response within the week but that getting back to someone depends on the number of applications submitted and funding availability.
Requests filed by community organizations, churches or agencies will be fast-tracked as they allow for quicker confirmation, according to the application.
