Washington State
Resources
APIC-South Puget Sound is committed to offering accessible resources to the Asian and Pacific Islander community. Below you will find resources on immigration, food security, voter registration and more. We are working to provide more language-accessible sources and will update this page as our work continues.
Office of Financial Management (OFM) Population Report: Washington State's Immigrant Population 2010-21
by Wei Yen, Ph.D.
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Immigrant population has increased by 29% in Washington during 2010-21, with a larger increase in the immigrant group of naturalized citizens (37%). In 2021, the total immigrant population was 1,149,000.
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Shares of females in each immigrant population group remained about the same across the years, although the shares varied among the groups, between 40% and 60%.
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While the share of adults 18-64 declined in the U.S.-born citizen group to 58%, it remained the same in the immigrant groups (around 75% for naturalized citizen group and legal immigrant group, and 90% for the undocumented immigrant group).
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The share of individuals with Hispanic origin had a gradual but steady increase in the U.S.-born citizen group (8% to 12%). However, the undocumented immigrant group share declined from 54% to 39%.
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The shares of non-Hispanic white population declined in the U.S.-born citizen group (80% to 72%)3 and the legal immigrant group (32% to 23%).
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The shares of non-Hispanic Asians or Pacific Islanders increased in the legal Office of Financial Management 2 immigrant group (27% to 36%) and the undocumented immigrant group (27% to 43%).
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In the adult population age 18-64, all groups except the legal immigrant group had increased shares with a 4-year college degree or higher. The undocumented immigrant group had the largest change (22% to 47%).
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For all groups, shares of adults 18-64 who were employed increased to the highest point in 2019 (above 70%) and then declined in 2021.
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Shares of adults 18-64 in low-income families (less than 200% of the federal poverty level) declined in all groups, particularly in the undocumented immigrant group in which the share dropped by half (56% to 28%).
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Resource Finder: Comprehensive list of immigration, family care, COVID-19, and legal services in an easy-to-find search bar. Hotline: 1-844-724-3737
ACLU Washington: Policing laws, immigration rights, educational resources, and more
APIC-Spokane: Another local branch of APIC offering additional resources
Asian Counseling and Referral Services: Seattle-based center for immigration, legal, employment, and child-care services with accessible language environments
Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE): Voter education and empowerment events
WA Cares Fund: WA Cares is the first program in the nation that gives working families an affordable way to access long-term care without having to spend down their life savings. Working Washingtonians contribute a small percentage of each paycheck during their working years to be able to access long-term care benefits later in life when they need support. WA Cares benefits can be used for a wide range of services and supports to help you stay in your own home for longer.
Commission for the Asian Pacific American Affairs: Language accessible resources on COVID-19 relief, data disaggregation, LGTBTQ+ resources, and hate crime reporting systems. View their 2020 Demographic Report here!
Immigration Advocates Network: A collection of organizations that offer legal services related to immigration. You can sort by language, types of immigration legal assistance offered, zip code, etc.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest: Helps individuals, families, and communities with health, immigration justice, and community referrals to safe housing and food
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: Defends and advances rights of immigrants through legal services, advocacy, and community education
Northwest Justice Project: Provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals addressing family safety, housing, healthcare, education, and income security
One America: Organizes immigrants, refugee leaders, and allies around immigration, civic engagement, and inclusive education
Washington Coalition for Police Accountability: Police accountability advocacy
Washington Community Alliance: Aims to close the representation gap for people of color in every level of elected office in our state
Washington Pro Bono Council: Legal aid for low-income WA residents