King County Executive Dow Constantine says immigrants and refugees are afraid for their human rights.
King County Executive Dow Constantine says immigrants and refugees are "afraid for their human rights." Ana Sofia Knauf

King County may spend $750,000 on "rapid response" services for immigrants and refugees, including a legal fund and know-your-rights educational materials.

"People in our community are afraid—afraid for their human rights, their families, and their safety," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement today. "Our message to the White House, the country, and the rest of the world is clear: We proudly uphold the fundamental American promise that we are—and will be—a nation of hope, freedom, and opportunity for all."

Constantine introduced the proposal today but did not specify exact amounts to be spent on each program. His office says the funding would create a legal fund to "help residents navigate the naturalization process and support for community organizations on the frontlines of immigrant rights and education." While Constantine's office calls that a "legal defense fund," it is not clear whether the money will be available for immigrants fighting deportation in court. UPDATE: A spokesperson for Constantine says "the free legal counsel [will] both prevent residents from being deported and help guide them through the naturalization process. It covers the spectrum. In many cases, immigrants and refugees are reluctant to seek advice from government agencies because they are worried that it will result in them being deported. By funding community-based nonprofit organizations that already serve people in the immigrant and refugee community, we’ll be able to help more people fight deportation and ultimately become U.S. citizens."

The plan will now go to the King County Council for approval.

Following cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, the City of Seattle took a similar step recently. The Seattle City Council approved a resolution last month spelling out its intent to create an immigrant legal defense fund this year, but is waiting on the mayor's office to specify exactly how much money will go into that fund.