Refugee and Immigrant Services

At Refugee and Immigrant Services – Lutheran Community Services Northwest, we are committed to helping refugees, immigrants, humanitarian parolees, and asylum seekers establish stable and fulfilling lives in their new communities. Since 2015, we have supported more than 1,400 asylees from over 20 countries, walking alongside them as they navigate their new beginnings.

We provide wraparound case management and access to community resources for individuals and families eligible under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), including refugees, asylees, parolees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, Amerasians, and U/T visa holders. Our holistic approach ensures that each client receives personalized support tailored to their unique needs. Services include housing navigation, benefits enrollment, health and mental health referrals, employment readiness, educational opportunities, and cultural orientation. By working closely with community partners and coordinating across multiple systems, we help families overcome barriers, achieve stability, and move toward long-term self-sufficiency.

We are based primarily in our SeaTac and Tacoma offices, but also provide virtual case management statewide, making our services accessible to clients across Washington. Guided by our values of Health, Justice, and Hope, we strive to ensure every individual has the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and thrive.

The PRIME Program provides holistic, culturally and linguistically responsive case management services that enable newcomers to build stability and self-sufficiency. We serve refugees, asylees (principal and derivative), Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Afghanistan and Iraq, humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, victims of human trafficking, and Cuban and Haitian entrants.

Through tailored support, participants are connected to ESL and specialized training programs, housing resources, employment services, technical training opportunities (such as Commercial Driver’s License and forklift certification), and community-based organizations. We also provide legal assistance with family reunification, adjustment of status (green card applications), and initial or renewal employment authorization documents.

Health and wellness support includes health insurance application assistance, connection to primary care providers, referrals for refugee health screenings, and transportation assistance to medical appointments. In addition, PRIME offers self-sufficiency workshops in digital literacy, financial literacy, and housing navigation to empower clients with the tools they need to thrive.

Client Eligibility

Refugee, Asylee & Parolee Support Services: Wraparound case management and access to community resources for ORR-eligible individuals and families.

• Afghan Humanitarian Parolee Services – Case management for Afghans paroled into the United States between July 30, 2021, and September 30, 2022, including support with benefits navigation and family reunification.
• Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee Services – Case management for Ukrainians residing in Washington State who were living in Ukraine as of February 11, 2022, and paroled into the United States between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Navigating the U.S. medical system can be overwhelming. The Refugee Health Promotion Program (RHPP) ensures that both individuals with complex medical issues and those who simply need guidance can access the care and information they need to thrive.

For individuals with complex health needs, RHPP provides:

• Referrals to specialists and coordination of care
• Transportation assistance to and from medical appointments
• Support with applications for programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Health education for families in order to better understand and manage their care

Through our Community Health Worker (CHW) program, RHPP also helps newcomers without complex medical issues by:

• Assisting families with access to primary care and preventive services
• Supporting clients in navigating insurance enrollment and appointment scheduling
• Connecting individuals with community health resources tailored to their needs

Airport Air Quality & Asthma Project
RHPP partners with Public Health – Seattle and King County and the University of Washington on the Airport Air Quality and Asthma project, which focuses on reducing asthma health disparities for families living within a 10-mile radius of SeaTac Airport. This initiative expands access to CHW-led asthma interventions and evaluates the added benefit of indoor air quality improvements, such as HEPA air filters, to support healthier homes.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

We help asylum seekers build stability by combining housing, case management, and education. We provide transitional housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, along with limited rental assistance and wraparound case management to ensure their most urgent needs are met.

In addition to addressing immediate housing needs, we help asylum seekers understand their immigration journey and connect them to vital resources. This includes:

• Employment services and job readiness support
• Healthcare providers and health insurance enrollment
• Legal services and immigration guidance
• Community integration opportunities

We also prepare clients for long-term housing success through housing readiness trainings that cover:

• The importance of paying rent on time
• How to build and maintain a positive rental history
• Tenant rights and responsibilities

By combining housing security with immigration guidance, employment connections, and practical education, we give asylum seekers the tools and stability they need to lay a strong foundation for their future in the United States.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

We provide low-cost legal counseling to refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and humanitarian entrants. Services include: 

• Immigration petitions and applications
• Work permit (Employment Authorization Document) applications and renewals
• Support with family reunification petitions
• Guidance through complex immigration processes
• Referrals for additional legal and community resources

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Orientation Days
Walk-in events are held monthly. Open to everyone regardless of immigration status. Get connected to resources and services in one place.

Ask a Lawyer Series
The Ask a Lawyer Series offers monthly Q&A sessions with Immigration Attorney Justin Estep, Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services. Community members are invited to submit their immigration-related questions in advance by email, online form, or text. Questions are then collected, organized by topic, and addressed during the session, giving participants the opportunity to receive direct guidance. This approach ensures that everyone’s concerns are represented and allows the attorney to prepare clear, thoughtful responses that benefit the entire group.
Immigration 101 Trainings
Interactive workshops designed for organizations, schools, and community groups. These sessions provide an overview of immigration pathways, rights, and available resources, helping staff and community leaders better support immigrant and refugee populations. Trainings can be tailored to the specific needs of your group and scheduled upon request.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Your support helps newcomers build stability and thrive in their new communities. Every donation of time, skills, or resources makes a direct impact — from furnishing a family’s first home to helping someone prepare for their first job interview.

• Amazon Wishlist: Contribute essential household items by purchasing directly from our Amazon Wishlist.
• In-Kind Donations: Drop off or mail items at our SeaTac office (4040 S 188th St, Suite 300, SeaTac, WA 98188), addressed to Refugee & Immigrant Services.
• Financial Contributions: Make a gift online at lcsnw.org to directly support our programs and families.
• Volunteer Your Expertise: Share your skills by leading trainings for our clients in areas such as:
  • Legal rights and immigration processes
  • Tenant laws and housing education
  • Digital literacy and computer skills
  • Financial literacy and budgeting
  • Tax preparation
  • Entrepreneurship and small business start-up

Other ways to support:

• Partnerships: We welcome collaboration with businesses, faith communities, and civic groups to host drives, sponsor events, or provide professional training.
• Language & Cultural Skills: Bilingual and bicultural volunteers play a vital role in helping clients feel understood and supported.
• Flexible Commitment: Whether you can give an hour a month or lead a workshop series, your time makes a difference.

Referral Process for clients to Refugee and Immigrant Services:

Start a referral using the Direct Referral Form. Please include a signed Release of Information (ROI) form—either upload it at the end of the form or email it to [email protected]

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].