Immigration Advisory Board

​​​​​​​​​​​​The purpose of the Immigration Advisory Board is to review and evaluate existing policies and make specific recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding City policy related to immigration matters.

​Meetings

Future meetings of the Immigration Advisory Board have been suspended per Ordinance 2024-01-006. This page will be updated when information on the resumption of meetings is available.

Visit the Immigration Advisory Board Meeting Materials webpage to view meeting agendas, minutes, video recordings and supporting materials for past meetings.

About the Immigration Advisory Board​​​​​​​​​​​​

The purpose of the Immigration Advisory Board is to review and evaluate existing policies and make specific recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding City policy related to immigration matters. This evaluation will include analysis of City data to determine compliance with Washington State law. The board will make recommendations for further data to be compiled in order to facilitate its recommendations. In addition, the board shall support community involvement in and discussion of regional issues and decisions about our City’s future as it relates to immigration. To read the ordinance establishing the creation of the Immigration Advisory Board, view Ordinance 2019-11-033.​

Meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of each month. At this time meetings are held virtually. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. Interpretation and translation services are provided. Meetings will be supported by Mayor-designated staff and City Council-designated staff as needed. Time spent outside meetings may be as much as five hours a week depending on involvement on the board.

The board will consist of no more than 12 members. Individuals complete an application process to seek appointment to the board, and members will be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council to serve two-year terms. Members may serve for no more than two full two-year terms. ​

Membership will include at least one representative from each of the following sectors of the community:

  • Directly impacted individual/liaison
  • Human rights advocacy
  • Immigration law/civil rights legal
  • Youth/education
  • Faith/religion
  • Healthcare/medical
  • Labor – service industry
  • Labor – agricultural industry
  • Business/economic development

Anyone interested in being considered to serve on the Immigration Advisory Board may pick up an application from the centralized reception at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, print an application off the City’s website, or use the online application form.

More information about all City boards and commissions can be found on the City of Bellingham Boards and Commissions webpage.

Immigration Advisory Board
City Council Office
Bellingham City Hall
210 Lottie Street,  Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8200

E-mail:  ​​​ immigrationboard@cob.org / consejodeinmigracion@cob.org
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