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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.

ResourcesNews and eventsAbout us and our workLanguage access Email us

Resources

Legal services

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​

Language access

Education

Employment and workforce training​

Driver's license

Sanctuary Promise

Worker relief

  • ​Oregon Worker Relief ​provides direct support for ​immigrants who are facing:
    • Lost work and wages due to COVID-19
    • Extreme heat, smoke and other climate disasters
    • Complex immigration system
    • Eviction and the housing crisis

News and events

As OIRA talks with federal, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page. 

Feb. 25, 2025: New registration requirement for some immigrants

On February 25, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that immigrants who di​d not enter the U.S. with a visa must register with the federal government after their arrival. They must also carry proof of their registration with them. The Department of Homeland Security will soon have a form and process to complete the registration.

For more information see: Information from USCIS about the registration requirement.

A respected community partner, American Immigration Council, has posted a high-level analysis fact sheet on the registration requirement for immigrants​.

Feb. 20, 2025: Changes in Haiti Temporary Protected Status

On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem made changes to the ​July 1, 2024, notice that had extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The period of extension and redesignation ​changed from 18 months to 12 months. The new end date is Aug. 3, 2025 (instead of Feb. 3, 2026). First time registration for new applicants will end Aug. 3, 2025.

For more information see: Information from USCIS about TPS for Haiti

Feb.​​ 1, 2025: Changes in Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status

On Feb. 1, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ​terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the 2023 designation for Venezuela. TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will end on April 7, 2025.

For more information see: Information from USCIS about TPS for Venezuela ​

Jan. 20, 2025: ​Changes in refugee resettlement program and more from new presidential executive orders

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump signed a number of executive orders which targeted policies related to immigration and refugees. These changes include halting the U.S. refugee resettlement program indefinitely, shutting down the CBP One app and cancelling all pending asylum appointments in that system, as well as other orders. ​A respected community partner, American Immigration Council, has posted a high-level analysis fact sheet of Trump's first executive actions.​

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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, linguistic 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 Americans 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

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 404,200 immigrant residents in Oregon. This is 9.5% of the state’s population.
  • The top countries of origin are Mexico, Vietnam, India, China and the Phillipines.
  • Immigrants make up 12.5% of Oregon's total labor force, including:
    • 13.3% of our entrepreneurs
    • 16.2% of our STEM workers
    • ​61.9% of our agriculture workers
  • In 2023, immigrants paid $2.1B in state and local taxes and $3.5B in federal taxes.

Source: ​American Immigration Council​