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Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement

Oregon's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) advocates for immigrant and refugee populations across the state. The Oregon Legislature established OIRA in 2021 through Senate Bill 778. OIRA was first located in the Governor’s Office and moved to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in 2022.

ResourcesAbout us and our workContacts

Resources

Food, shelter and medical services

  • Healthier Oregon Program
    Medical benefits for people of any age or immigration status
  • WIC Program
    Nutritious food and more for people who are pregnant, new ​breastfeeding moms, and children under age 5 of any immigration status
  • 211info
    Connects people with local help for basic needs including housing and more​​​

Refugee services​

Legal services

Language access

Education

Employment and workforce training​

Driver's license

June 18, 2024: New parole in place process to promote family unity starts August 19

  • President Biden announced a ​new process to allow certain spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for “parole in place" with the ​Department of Homeland Security. These spouses and stepchildren will be able to apply for legal permanent residence, also know as a green card, without leaving the U.S.
  • Important - You can't apply for this program until August 19, 2024. Beware of scams offering to help you access the program. ​
  • Call the Equity Corps of Oregon at 8​88-274-7292 if you think you are eligible. They are a state-funded immigration legal service. They offer free immigration legal services to people who are eligible.

June 5, 2024: Presidential proclamation restricting asylum​​

  • President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation ​that​ now restricts access to asylum when the number of encounters between ports of entry reach 2,500 per day. 
  • This proclamation prohibits most ​​​migrants from being granted asylum if they cross ​the southern border without inspection. Customs and Border Protection can deport people who have entered between checkpoints without processing their asylum claims. People removed under this order can't reenter the U.S. for five years.
  • Call the Equity Corps of Oregon at 8​88-274-7292 if you have questions or concerns. They are a state-funded immigration legal service. They offer free immigration legal services to people who are eligible.​
  • Information from the ​U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Analysis from the American Immigration Council

April 4, 2024: Extension of work permits for some immigrants

About us

Mission

Our mission is to identify, develop and operate ​a statewide immigrant and refugee integration strategy.

Vision

We envision an Oregon in which all those who want to contribute to the state’s social, civic and economic growth have equitable access to the resources to do so.

​Values

  • Racial justice
  • Community-led advocacy
  • Accountability
  • Resource equity
  • Relationship-building

We advocate for and partner with immigrant and refugee communities to meet the needs of these populations across Oregon.

Policy development

We track state legislation and collect data to develop and implement new statewide opportunities to enhance the economic, social, linguistic and cultural integration of immigrants and refugees.

Community engagement and partnership

We are a bridge between community and government agencies in a way that centers and elevates the work and contributions of immigrant and refugee communities.​

​Training and capacity building

We promote and improve access to existing federal, national, state and local resources and services that support the economic, social, liguistic and cultural integration of immigrants and refugees​.

Help people use existing resources and services

  • Partner with ​state agencies, county and city governments, community-based organizations and private sector entities to: 
    • Provide data and expertise on refugee resettlement and shifting migration, demographic and linguistic patterns on statewide initiatives, including the state's housing strategy and Digital Equity Plan
    • Identify and expand workforce development and economic integration opportunities for immigrants and refugees
    • Make sure organizations that serve refugees and immigrants can access support systems including housing, navigation, legal services and direct cash assistance
  • Develop an Oregon Welcome Guide for new arrivals

Advocate for new statewide opportunities

  • Partner with state agencies to:
    • Establish an Internationally Educated Workforce Reentry Grant Program to increase access to credentialing and licensing pathways
    • Implement a monitoring plan to make sure all state agencies have the resources to develop and implement an effective Language Access Plan
  • Build a public/private grant funding program focused on new arrivals with the highest barriers to integration

Enhance the capacity of community-based organizations

  • Partner with state agencies to make sure organizations that serve immigrants and refugees are included in the implementation of the Healthier Oregon Program and 1115 Medicaid Waiver Demonstration
  • Regularly convene and engage with community-based organizations to:
    • Provide data and expertise on refugee resettlement, and shifting migration, demographic and linguistic patterns
    • Provide outreach, education and training
    • Amplify ​and streamline sharing best practices
    • Collaborate on new statewide initiatives
    • Review ongoing and new legislative concepts, program investments and funding packages

Leverage federal and national resources

  • As a part of the Office of New American Network:
    • Identify federal funding opportunities, data collection, policy development and best practices
    • Participate in monthly calls with the White House, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Department of Homeland Security to discuss migration trends, litigation, decompression, communication, funding opportunities, etc.
  • Explore funding opportunities and technical assistance through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' ​Citizenship and Integration Grant Program to prepare immigrants f​or naturalization and promote civic integration

​World Refugee Day is an international day set by the United Nations to honor refugees worldwide. Every June 20, communities join together to celebrate their courage and shine a light on the ongoing challenges faced by people fleeing violence and persecution.

In 2024, OIRA co-sponsored two events for World Refugee Day to show solidarity with refugees and thank those who support this community. The photos below capture moments from these events: one with community members and the Beaverton Planning Committee and another featuring​ an ​African drummer performance.

2024 World Refugee Day Beaverton planning group and community participants stand together​​African drummer group performance (Anansi African Drums)​

Oregon's newest residents

Immigrants and refugees are a vital part of Oregon’s workforce and thriving economy. They arrive in Oregon for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Fleeing conflict, violence and persecution
  • Reunifying with family
  • Building a better life for future generations
  • International students
  • Professionals who fill a critical need in the labor market

  • There are 425,600 immigrant residents in Oregon. This is 10% of the state’s population.
  • The top countries of origin are Mexico, China, Vietnam, India and Canada.
  • Immigrants make up 13% of Oregon's total labor force, including:
    • 12.7% of our entrepreneurs
    • 17.5% of our STEM workers
    • ​62% of our agriculture workers
  • In 2022, immigrants paid $1.7B in state and local taxes and $3.6B in federal taxes.

Source: ​American Immigration Council​

Contacts

 Email us Language access Apply for benefits

Our staff