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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.

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Resources

We value the strong work of community partners. OIRA follows different standards as a state office. These materials follow Department of Justice guidance.

​Gene​ral

​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​​​

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 national, state, local and community partners, we will continue to post the most updated information we have on this web page. 

Sign up for OIRA updates

About us

Mission

OIRA advances fairness and belonging for immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon by advising state leadership, elevating community voice, strengthening partnerships, providing accurate information and shaping state policy that improves access and opportunity.

Core values

  • Protection
  • Voice
  • Respect and dignity
  • Racial equity

  • Integrate community voice into policy and decision-making
  • Strengthen statewide coordination across immigrant and refugee systems
  • Increase clarity and transparency in state policies and communication
  • Build capacity in organizations that serve immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers​

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​