Legal Immigration Services of Olympia

Legal Immigration Services of Olympia, (LISO) is dedicated to providing free or low-cost immigration services to underserved immigrants detained at the NW ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma WA. We join with a broader community of advocates committed to ensuring that detained immigrants are not forced to navigate a complex legal system alone. 

Immigrants in removal proceedings have long had the right to retain legal representation, but at their own expense. Because deportation is classified as a civil - not criminal - matter, people in immigration court are not entitled to government-appointed counsel. In the criminal justice system, anyone facing incarceration is guaranteed an attorney if they cannot afford one. In contrast, immigrants facing deportation generally have no such protection. Detained individuals, especially those held in remote facilities, face even greater barriers to accessing legal assistance while in custody. At the NWIPC, many individuals appear before an immigration judge without the benefit of legal representation - sometimes for the first and only time. While dedicated organizations have long been working to meet this need, the scale and urgency of the moment demand that more of us step in. LISO exists to stand alongside these efforts, to contribute where we can, and to extend the reach of justice one client at a time.    

Our vision is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: due process is not a privilege for the few - it’s a right owed to all. At LISO we provide more than just legal defense. We seek to restore dignity, stability, and hope to families fractured by detention, ensuring that our clients feel seen, heard, and never alone in the fight.

This work is urgent. Each day without representation is another child separated from a parent, another asylum seeker denied a fair hearing, another life shaped by silence instead of advocacy.

We have started small, but intentionally. Our team brings trauma-informed, culturally humble legal advocacy to those we serve, guided by values we hold dear. We may not reach everyone, but those we reach will receive our full commitment.

We are not alone in this. We are part of a growing network of legal professionals, community members, and partners who believe that immigration justice is a shared responsibility. Our work builds upon theirs, and together, we push forward.

We invite you to walk with us and consider supporting us with your donation to the Give Local Campaign. Your support helps expand the circle of care and representation for those facing a daunting system.