Abdi Jama has been appointed as Special Advisor on Immigrant & Refugee Affairs for the City of Seattle. A nationally respected leader in immigrant and refugee services, Abdi brings more than two decades of experience strengthening institutions, expanding access to justice, and building durable systems that support immigrant families across Washington State.
Abdi most recently served as Program Director of Catholic Immigration Legal Services (CILS) at Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, where he led a multi-site immigration legal program serving thousands of individuals and families each year. He oversaw and supervised a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, and legal professionals. Under his leadership, CILS expanded removal defense capacity, increased naturalization and citizenship access, strengthened legal services for youth and vulnerable populations, and scaled community-based education efforts to ensure families understood their rights and options.
Beyond direct service delivery, Abdi has been a key architect in strengthening the broader ecosystem of immigrant support. He has collaborated with municipal leaders, state partners, philanthropy, faith institutions, and community-based organizations to improve coordination across systems, increase language access, and expand culturally responsive services. His work has helped bridge gaps between government institutions and communities, fostering trust and improving the effectiveness of public-facing programs during periods of significant federal immigration shifts.
Throughout his career, Abdi has emphasized that immigrant integration is not solely about legal status, but about economic mobility, civic participation, public safety rooted in trust, and long-term community stability. His leadership has consistently centered family unity, due process, and the belief that inclusive governance strengthens the entire city.
With advanced graduate training in dispute resolution, Abdi brings a collaborative and strategic approach to public service. He has served on nonprofit boards and civic initiatives locally and internationally, supporting conflict resolution, democratic participation, and community-driven leadership development. His experience spans frontline service, executive management, coalition-building, and institutional strategy.
As Special Advisor, Abdi will work closely with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, City departments, and community partners to strengthen coordination, enhance service delivery, and ensure that immigrant and refugee communities remain central to Seattle’s continued growth, resilience, and shared prosperity.