Seattle – On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Trump administration issued a near-total termination of work on its Unaccompanied Children Program, slashing funds used for the legal representation of 26,000 minors navigating complex US immigration courts. OIRA stands in deep solidarity with our community members and our partners at Kids… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is releasing an LOI to help provide limited immigration legal services. Rapid Response ProgramFunding decisions will be announced on or before Wednesday, March 26, 2025Applications due by March 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM (PT) We are pleased to announce that… [ Keep reading ]
On January 28, 2025, the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) hosted a virtual training for service providers on immigration policy followed by questions and answers. This free, public session covered several key topics, including: While there are many Know Your Rights… [ Keep reading ]
Asylum is an essential promise of providing safety to people fleeing violence and persecution that is protected under international and domestic U.S. law. However, the asylum process can be complicated and difficult, especially for people who have suffered trauma and faced perilous journeys to seek refuge. With these challenges in… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle and our region are deeply impacted by the extensive cultural and economic contributions of our immigrant and refugee communities who play a pivotal role in driving innovation and fostering growth. These communities are integral to the fabric of our city. However, they encounter unique barriers in… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is partnering with 11 community-based organizations throughout King County to host citizenship clinics where volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and others assist eligible community members to become U.S. citizens. The next clinic will be held on Saturday, September 28th at the… [ Keep reading ]
Each year, thousands of immigrant children are placed into court proceedings in which government prosecutors seek to deport them unless those children can prove they have a right to stay in the United States. Like adults, children in removal proceedings have the right to legal representation but only if hire their… [ Keep reading ]
This one-time fund was established in response to the increase in hate crimes and targeted violence in immigrant communities, including those directly impacting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities; incidents such as physical assault, home-invasions, robberies, and muggings. During listening sessions in 2023 with AAPI-serving community organizations, participants amplified… [ Keep reading ]
In response to the rise in violent crime and sudden death in the region, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed an executive order in February 2023 to enhance access to information and reduce barriers to supportive services for immigrant and refugee communities in the City of Seattle. As part of this effort,… [ Keep reading ]
At OIRA, we actively promote our mission by advocating for and advancing policies and legislative actions aimed at enhancing the well-being of immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle. Annually, our office conducts analysis, provides feedback, and endorses various proposed policies that align with the city’s legislative agenda. As a Welcoming… [ Keep reading ]
