Local rapid‑response volunteers ask DEI commission to partner for Welcoming Week, urge local ID rules for agents

Lauren St. Martin, representing the Mountain Terrace Rapid Response Team, asked the Mountlake Terrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission to let the volunteer group take part in the city’s upcoming Welcoming Week and to partner on community outreach about constitutional rights.

St. Martin said the group formed after volunteers received training from a larger Washington‑state immigrant‑led network and from Snohomish County rapid‑response organizations. “My name is Lauren St. Martin, and I'm here representing the Mountain Terrace Rapid Response Team,” she told the commission, describing volunteers who monitor immigration enforcement activity and connect detained people to resources.

The group requested a presence at Welcoming Week so volunteers can inform community members about their constitutional rights and the services the volunteers can help arrange. St. Martin said the team will document whether enforcement activity is taking place, attempt to confirm whether agents have warrants, and refer detained people to an immigrant‑led network’s hotline and wraparound services.

St. Martin also said the group hoped the commission could advocate for local ordinances that would require agents to identify themselves and to show identification. She described a strategy volunteers have used where, when persons identifying themselves as agents decline to identify, volunteers call local law enforcement to request verification.

Commission members asked logistical questions about training, whether the volunteers were a nonprofit or a volunteer network, and whether volunteers would serve all immigrants regardless of immigration status. St. Martin answered that the team is volunteer‑led, immigrant‑centered, and that they plan to inform people about constitutional rights “regardless of their immigration status.” She added that the volunteers do not ask participants about their immigration status.

The commission’s vice chair said there was space at Welcoming Week and that staff would follow up by email with event details. No formal action was taken at the meeting; commission members said staff would coordinate follow‑up and discuss how the commission could work with the volunteers.

Discussion only: the commission did not vote or adopt policy; the request was logged for staff follow‑up and potential inclusion in Welcoming Week outreach.

Community groups or commissions that want to follow up were advised to contact the volunteer team directly (St. Martin offered to provide contact information) so the group can sign up for the event and describe any materials or needs.

Why this matters: Welcoming Week is a high‑visibility city event intended to connect new arrivals with local supports. Commission partnership could expand outreach about constitutional rights and short‑term supports for people who encounter immigration enforcement activity. The volunteer request also raised a policy question—whether the commission or city should support local requirements for agents to identify themselves—that would require separate legal and council review.

Closing note: The commission agreed staff would follow up with St. Martin and circulate event sign‑up and contact details for the volunteer group.