Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Cut Staff
The nonprofit laid off 18 workers following a budget deficit and unionization efforts.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Immigration
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The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network laid off 18 employees starting in early September 2026. The organization, which had 14 staff members remaining as of late September, cited a significant budget crisis.
Why it matters
The layoffs and reduced services underscore financial instability within the organization, which relies on donor funding to provide deportation defense. Some workers have alleged the personnel cuts were a direct response to recent unionization efforts.
The organization faced a $2.6 million budget deficit entering 2026, following 2024 revenue of $3 million against expenses of $3.2 million. It currently employs 14 staff members after laying off 18 individuals.
The players
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
This is a statewide organization that provides support and deportation defense resources for immigrant communities in Washington.
WAISN Workers Collective
This is the collective body representing staff members who requested voluntary union recognition from the organization.
The details
The nonprofit also reduced its deportation defense hotline hours from 12 hours daily to 7 hours each weekday. In 2024, the hotline handled more than 5,000 calls, while a connected bond fund released 17 people from detention using $133,000 in payouts.
Timeline
In 2024, the group received 5,000 calls and paid $133,000 in bonds.
Workers requested voluntary union recognition on September 8, 2026.
Layoffs began in early September 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the staff unionization effort may argue that the organization's financial constraints necessitate operational flexibility to ensure survival. This tension highlights the broader debate regarding the application of the National Labor Relations Act unionization provisions in mission-driven, resource-constrained nonprofits.
Residents seeking deportation defense assistance may experience longer wait times or reduced access due to the hotline's shorter service hours. The organization's ongoing financial instability could also impact the availability of bond funding for those detained in the state.
The takeaway
Nonprofits experiencing budget crises must balance fiscal sustainability with their core mission mandates. Staff and management at such organizations often face difficult transitions when funding volatility leads to sudden operational cutbacks.
Further reading
For more on advocacy groups in the state, visit Washington Immigration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Chronicle.
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