Migrants in Washington State, originally residing in an encampment on a local tennis court, have recently moved to a hotel thanks to an anonymous donor. They are now seeking a long-term solution from the county. The migrants, hailing from Venezuela, the Republic of the Congo, and Angola, are demanding housing and work permits to help stabilize their situations. A rally was held where migrants shared their struggles with unstable housing impacting their asylum cases. The Quality Inn where they were previously evicted due to lack of funds is now being subsidized by a donor paying around $70 per night per room.
The move from the tennis court to the hotel was confirmed by a Kent city spokesperson, with funding for the hotel stay coming from an undisclosed source. The city of Kent acknowledged the need for a solution but stated they do not own or control any housing that can accommodate the group of migrants. The city emphasized that they are not in a financial position to address the housing needs of these individuals and are calling on state and federal governments to take action. An anonymous donor paid $50,000 for the migrants to occupy 61 hotel rooms for an 11-day period, providing some temporary relief for the group.
Despite the temporary stay in the hotel, migrants are still seeking long-term solutions and are requesting assistance from the King County City Council. They are hoping to acquire legal documentation that would allow them to work and contribute to the community. The migrants have faced challenges in finding stable housing, with previous stays at a church and the Quality Inn ending due to lack of funding. A translator working with the migrants expressed their desire for support in obtaining necessary documentation to gain employment and access to services in the area.
Local officials and service providers are working to address the situation, with King County Councilmembers and the Mayor’s office collaborating to find solutions for the migrants’ housing needs. Demonstrators are calling attention to the struggles faced by migrants in the Seattle metro area, highlighting the urgency of finding stable housing and work opportunities for the group. The challenges faced by the migrants in securing long-term accommodations underscore the broader issue of housing instability and lack of support for asylum seekers in the area. Ultimately, the hope is to find lasting solutions that will provide stability and opportunities for migrants in Washington State.
