From safe space initiatives to neighborhood organizing, local nonprofits are working together to protect immigrants and empower their community.
Volunteers with Indivisible Bellingham have contacted 325 businesses across Whatcom County as part of the Signs of Solidarity campaign in storefronts showing that immigrants are welcome and outlining privacy protections.
The campaign, which is part of a nationwide initiative, aims to give immigrant community members safer spaces and signal that local businesses support them amid ongoing concerns about immigration engagement. Organizers say the effort has grown in recent months alongside reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near courthouses and public spaces.
The signs, which not only provide relief and identify safe spaces for immigrants, also include “Know Your Rights” QR Codes linking to helpful information. The signs are designed to clarify that ICE agents cannot enter private areas of a business without a judicial warrant. Jenny Bardwell, coordinator of the Signs of Solidarity program for Indivisible Bellingham, said the campaign aims to reduce fear and increase awareness among immigrant community members.
“We are passing them around to businesses in Whatcom County to show solidarity with immigrants and to bring the public and businesses together in solidarity around this issue of immigrants and to show immigrants that they are welcome in the community,” Bardwell said.
Kevin Leja, a leadership team member, describes the program’s philosophy: “The businesses that put their signs up do two things. They tell people that they are supportive of immigrants, but the signs also make the people that are buying from those businesses or walking into these businesses feel like not only am I welcome but immigrants are welcome as well, so everyone is welcome.”
According to Indivisible Bellingham, about 40% of businesses contacted agreed to display the posters, about 12% declined and roughly 48% are still considering whether to participate or are pending follow-up. Businesses recorded as posting signs include Day Trip Cafe, Penny Farthing Bar and Nine Acupuncture, where volunteers noted that posters were placed in windows shortly after being delivered.
Though businesses such as Haggen, Domino’s and Edaleen Dairy declined, organizers say participation continues to grow as more storefronts and organizations like League of Women Voters, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Troublemakers, Washington Faith Immigrant Support Community and more have also supported the broader effort by helping raise awareness about immigrant rights and encouraging community participation.
Attempts to contact businesses that have publicly expressed support for stricter immigration enforcement for this story were unsuccessful.
Other local initiatives
Beyond Signs of Solidarity, Indivisible Bellingham volunteers also coordinate several additional groups, including an LGBTQ support group, Indigenous advocacy efforts called “Beyond Land Acknowledgment” and a democracy and elections team working ahead of the midterm elections. Community to Community Development, another regional organization operating in both Skagit and Whatcom counties, is a women-led organization focused on food sovereignty and farm worker justice, has been expanded.
Movements within Community to Community, such as “Bienestar,” which means well-being in Spanish, provide neighborhood-level support to connect immigrant families with resources and share information about workers’ rights and food access. Also creating local support networks. Its Participatory Democracy Program, focused on policy advocacy and civic participation, trains residents to engage with local and state governments and prepares community members to speak at public meetings and lobby lawmakers.
“We recognize that deeper relationships make communities safer,” said Liz Darrow, the Participatory Program Coordinator.
Working with government
Through advocacy and community education, the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission supported AB2026-049, a county resolution affirming the dignity and civil and human rights of all county residents, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. The county council vote passed 5-2 in January.
Miriam Karamoko, executive director of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, said the resolution represents years of community advocacy aimed at holding institutions accountable.
“The creation of the commission is an entity of the government, but we are fully community led,” Karamoko said. “So it’s a resolution affirming every person’s in Whatcom County, civil and dignity and human rights regardless of immigration status.”
The discussion surrounding the resolution led to the creation of an immigration action guide designed to help residents better understand their rights, engage in advocacy efforts and access local resources. Providing the guide outlines steps community members can take from staying informed about county policies to supporting neighbors who may be affected by immigration enforcement.
“We want to show people that we support immigrants. Whether they’re legal or not. Some businesses have a problem with that and that’s just gonna happen,” Leja said.
While the Signs of Solidarity campaign is being organized by volunteers with Indivisible Bellingham, similar grassroots efforts exist across neighboring counties. Indivisible Skagit and Indivisible San Juan also organize local volunteers around immigration and community support initiatives.
In Skagit County, an immigrant support task force connected to Indivisible provides assistance to immigrant tenants, connects families with resources and helps residents understand their rights. In San Juan County, Indivisible organizers coordinate community action teams focused on issues including immigration, voting rights and social justice, encouraging residents to participate in local advocacy efforts and protect.
For organizations such as Community to Community Development, which work closely with immigrant communities, the issue is personal. Darrow said the risks facing local immigrants have shaped how groups organize and support each other.
“This is a really hard time. A lot of people know that one of our main organizers, Lelo, was taken away by ICE a year ago last March, and a lot of the people who we work closely with are facing risk every single day,” Darrow said.
— By Mbaindu Mbawa
Also read in Salish Current:
• “Flooded homes, hidden lives: volunteers step up for undocumented residents,” Feb. 12, 2026
• “Heartbreak, rage and shame as community mourns death of Renee Good, protests ICE,” Jan. 14, 2026
• “A migrant’s journey: Whatcom READS ‘Solito’ for 2026,” Jan. 9, 2026
• “Community stands in solidarity with immigration advocate detained by ICE,” March 27, 2025
• “Regional, state leaders push back against immigration enforcement”,” Jan. 31, 2026