The City of Bellevue is committed to serving all residents, including many immigrants and refugees who make their home here. If you have concerns about your immigration status or the possibility of deportation for you or family members, several local organizations may be able to help you. Resources from the city and other organizations are presented at the bottom of this page.
Bellevue police do not ask victims, witnesses or suspects about their immigration status. The city protects residents against hate crimes and bias-related events. To make all of our services easier to access, we offer help in multiple languages.
Immigration Enforcement
If you are the victim, witness or suspect in a crime, the Bellevue Police will not ask you what your immigration status is (message from the police about immigration enforcement). Si usted es víctima, testigo o sospechoso de un delito, la Policía de Bellevue no le preguntará cuál es su estado migratorio (mensaje por parte de policía sobre la aplicación de la ley de inmagracion).
Hate Crimes
If you experience a hate crime in which you feel your safety is threatened, call 911 for help from the Bellevue Police. As noted above, officers will not ask about your immigration status. If you believe you are the victim of a bias-related event, in which you you can file an online report (bias-related event is the first option).
Multilingual Help
If you go to City Hall, Mini City Hall or a Bellevue community center or fire station, you do not need to know English to receive help. City staff can call interpreters for any of 140 languages who will translate your questions or requests into English and translate the staff's responses back to you in your language. This service is free.
Staff can also call these interpreters to help if you call the city's main phone line, 425-452-6800. The city has other language access resources too.
Resources
Civil Rights
- Northwest Immigration Rights Project Know Your Rights English | Spanish
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigration Rights
For local Know Your Rights workshops and immigration law clinic events please visit or contact the Eastside Legal Assistance Program.
Naturalization and Citizenship
- King County Library System Free Citizenship Classes
- Refugee Women’s Alliance Naturalization and Legal Services
- Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition
- Immigrant Rising information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD for the deaf or hard of hearing)
Community and Social Services
- Bellevue Mini City Hall
- Bellevue School District Family Connections Centers – Supports all Bellevue families with children K-12.
- Chinese Information Service Center – Locations in East King County
- KCLS Welcoming Center
- SeaMar Community Health Center – Health, Housing and Educational Resources
- Women’s Refugee Commission
- Consejo Counseling and Referral Services
- Kids in Need of Defense - Unaccompanied Children
- Youth Eastside Services - Counseling and Mental Health
- New Beginnings - Domestic Violence
For more resources, dial 211. Information is available in multiple languages.
Volunteer and Support Immigrants and Refugees
- English Language Learners Alliance
- ELAP Volunteers at Legal Clinics
- Hopelink Take-Action Resources
- Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition – Become a member to learn more about events and ways to be involved in East King County.