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Posts categorized under OIRA Archives - Welcoming Seattle

OIRA Announces the Seattle Immigrant Legal Defense Network Awardees

Seattle is committed to protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees, who are an integral part of our families and communities. As a part of a proud welcoming city, earlier this summer, the City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) released a request for proposals (RFP) to… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Youth Transportation Summit

The Seattle Department of Transportation is hosting its first-ever Youth Transportation Summit on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Young people aged 14 to 24 years old are invited to participate in this free event to share their personal experiences with transportation, highlight what they’d like to see changed in the future,… [ Keep reading ]

Explore City Budgeting: Understanding the Financial Process

Message from Director Mohamed Since the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) was created in 2012, we’ve aimed to strengthen Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities by engaging them in decisions about Seattle’s future and by improving the City’s programs and services to meet the needs of all constituents. I… [ Keep reading ]

Learn More About The Welcome Corps!

The Welcome Corps is a new program from the federal U.S. State Department that allows Americans the opportunity to formally welcome and help integrate specific refugee groups newly arriving to the United States. The Welcome Corps is administered by a consortium of community-based organizations led by the Community Sponsorship Hub… [ Keep reading ]

“Spring” Updates from the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA)

Introducing Director Hamdi Mohamed! Greetings! I am so proud to be serving as the director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA). The opportunity to serve as Director (technically “Acting Director” until I am officially confirmed by Council) and build upon OIRA’s legacy is a tremendous honor and… [ Keep reading ]

Mayor Harrell Issues Executive Order to Support People of Ukraine

Мер Харрелл видав виконавчий наказ про підтримку народу України Мэр Харрелл подписал указ о поддержке украинского народа This week, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced an Executive Order (order only available in English) to support the Ukrainian community in Seattle and in Ukraine. The order will direct City departments to… [ Keep reading ]

Корисна інформація для громадян України – Helpful Information for Ukrainian Nationals

Public services and benefits currently available to Ukrainian Nationals Ukrainian Citizens Currently in the U.S. may be Eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Humanitarian Parole (Uniting for Ukraine Program) How to Apply for Refugee Status How to Apply for Asylum Travel to the U.S. as Ukrainian Nationals Державні послуги… [ Keep reading ]

Eviction Moratorium Will Expire at the End of February

La moratoria de desalojo vencerá a fines de febrero 驅逐禁令將於 2 月底到期 퇴거 유예 기간 2월 말에 만료 Lệnh Tạm Cấm Trục Xuất Ra Khỏi Nhà Sẽ Hết Hạn vào Cuối Tháng 2 Announcing a final two-week extension of the eviction moratoria, Mayor Bruce Harrell issues directive to support… [ Keep reading ]

First-generation student Shely Nunez joins Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

My name is Shelain (Shely) Nunez (she/her) and the newest Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) External Affairs Intern. I am a first-generation student at Seattle Pacific University majoring in sociology and criminal justice. I grew up in a small town in central Washington with a large Hispanic… [ Keep reading ]

Farewell and Thank you!

Thank you for the privilege to serve and for your support through all of these years. Cuc Vu, Director Nearly 8 years ago, I joined the City of Seattle as the Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, only two years after OIRA was officially established. At that… [ Keep reading ]