Accompaniment
Walk with your Immigrant Neighbor
All people residing in the United State have rights!
Accompaniment is rooted in the shared humanity of all individuals and recognizes that everyone has a right to due process and equal access to justice.
We accompany people at risk of immigration detention to their USCIS appointments and civil courthouse matters. Through accompaniment we support the person navigating the process and by our presence also hold immigration and courthouse personnel accountable.
Shared Humanity
Our Values
- We all have a shared humanity, and physical presence is a manifestation of our solidarity.
- Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their past actions.
- Everyone has a right to due process and equal access to justice.
- There are no “good immigrants” and “bad immigrants,” only people who are doing the best they can with what they have in the moment.
“The dignity of the human person means that every human being is worth more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.” — Sister Helen Prejean
Purpose of Accompaniment
- To offer a friendly, supportive presence so that the person or family does not have to navigate often confusing or hostile environments alone.
- A volunteer’s presence serves as a way to hold immigration officers & courthouse personnel authorities accountable so that decisions do not happen behind closed doors.
- Standing in solidarity with immigrants also demonstrates to immigration judges, ICE officers, and courthouse personnel that there is a community mobilized against their deportation and that says they are valued members of the community.
YIRN is Looking for accompaniment volunteers to these offices in Yakima:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Biometrics Appointments
- Department of Homeland Security – ICE Check-ins
- Yakima County Courthouse – access services, pay fines, court appearances
- City of Yakima Municipal Court – access services, pay fines, court appearances
Flexible scheduling, no set time commitments. Training provided. Contact YIRN for more information:
