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 City efforts across all departments to advance equity and access for immigrants and refugees. As an office dedicated to serving immigrants refugees, OIRA’s core values and shared agreements are centered around integrity, humility, communities, innovation, gratitude, respect, accountability, partnership, and transparency. OIRA addresses the underlying causes of inequities and develop programs and policies that empower community partners and those they serve.
OIRA serves immigrant and refugee Seattle residents in the areas of language access, immigration legal services, workforce development, and more. OIRA is focused on incorporating community needs and direct feedback in policy decisions and program development while also centering the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. Review the entire proposed budget for the City and various departments here.
OIRA 2027 Proposed Budget: An Overview
The 2027 Proposed Budget for the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is $10.7 million. This budget is reduced by $153,000, or 1.4%, from the 2026 Adopted Budget, yet remains $4.3 million more than the 2025 Adopted Budget. The reduction is primarily due to a transfer of $125,000 to the Office of Labor Standards for labor-related training and education for immigrant and refugee communities. The 2027 Proposed Budget maintains core services for OIRA.
The department will continue to invest in programs such as the Legal Defense Network, the New Citizen Campaign, Rapid Response, the Immigrant Safety and Access Network, the Language Access program, and the Ready to Work program, while continuing to refine newer programming commenced in 2026, including emergency assistance, and the expansion of Rapid Response program areas such as Community Small Grants, sector-based investments, and resource navigation. The proposed budget also extends the sunset date of a Strategic Advisor position to help implement and maintain these newer programming elements.
Key Dates to Know
The Select Budget Committee will meet over the coming months to listen to community advocacy around proposed budgets and discuss potential amendments. Here are key dates that community members should know for public comment, and to understand the process.
Scheduled Select Budget Committee meetings:
- September 24, 25, 28, and 29 @ 9:30 a.m. (overview and department presentations)
- October 6 @ 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Public Hearing
- Remote public comment begins at 1 p.m.
- In-person public comment begins at 5 p.m.
- October 13, 14 and 15 @ 9:30 a.m. (Central Staff presentations on policy considerations)
- October 16 @ 2 p.m. (Central Staff presentations on policy considerations)
- October 27, 28 and 29 @ 9:30 a.m. (discussion of councilmember budget proposals/amendments)
- November 4 @ 9:30 a.m. (Budget Chair’s proposed balancing package)
- November 5 @ 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Public Hearing
- Remote public comment begins at 1 p.m.
- In-person public comment begins at 5 p.m.
- November 13, 16, 19 @ 9:30 a.m. (committee votes)
- November 20 @ 9:30 a.m. (Special City Council Meeting, final vote)
