Department Overview The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) was established in 2012 by Seattle Ordinance 123822 to recognize the importance and need for a stronger relationship and increased accountability between the City of Seattle and immigrant and refugee communities. OIRA serves as the backbone and coordinator of key… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle is proud to proclaim September 10-19th as Welcoming Week, a proclamation championed by Mayor Katie B. Wilson, sponsored by Councilmember Maritza Rivera, and supported by City Councilmembers Rob Saka, Eddie Lin, Joy Hollingsworth, Debora Juarez, Dan Strauss, Robert Kettle, Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster. Welcoming… [ Keep reading ]
In 2025, immigrant communities and leaders advocated successfully for a vital and timely investment of $4 million for the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA), which was supported by the Seattle City Council, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Mayor Katie Wilson, all in recognition of the mounting challenges facing immigrants and refugees in Seattle. Through stakeholder meetings, Mayor Wilson’s transition… [ Keep reading ]
This RFP application is now closed. In 2026, the Seattle City Council adopted a $4 million ongoing addition to the budget of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to strengthen critical services for Seattle’s immigrant and refugee communities. This funding comes in recognition of the recent federal funding… [ Keep reading ]
As our local communities continue to feel the drastic impact of federal immigration policy changes, the City of Seattle and Mayor Bruce Harrell have made it a priority to stand with immigrant and refugee communities, ensuring that Seattle takes actionable, informed steps to remain a city that welcomes and serves… [ Keep reading ]
As our local communities continue to feel the drastic impact of federal immigration policy changes, the City of Seattle and Mayor Bruce Harrell have made it a priority to stand with immigrant and refugee communities, ensuring that Seattle takes actionable, informed steps to remain a city that welcomes and serves every… [ Keep reading ]
