Years of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean have left long-lasting environmental and economic impacts, prompting many Marshallese to migrate to the United States. Under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), an agreement that allows U.S. military access to the islands, citizens of the Marshall Islands are permitted to live, work, and study in the United States without a visa.

The COFA Alliance National Network of Washington has worked to support access to social services for Marshallese families, making Washington State a desirable location for relocation. This support includes community engagement and access to healthcare that would otherwise be denied under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, a federal law that restricts access to public benefits for non-citizens.

Spokane is one of three main regions in the U.S. where Marshallese communities have taken root. The city is home to more than 15 Marshallese churches, and Marshallese is the second most spoken language in Spokane Public Schools.

Relocating from the Marshall Islands to Spokane, however, has presented significant challenges for the Marshallese in preserving their land-based cultural traditions. Second-generation Marshallese face the added difficulty of acculturation, as they work to balance preserving their cultural ties with adapting to American societal norms. Local churches, grocery stores, and community events are helping to sustain Marshallese customs.