Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance

Latest News

Looking for support for refugees and immigrants in Washington state? 
Find programs and services on our interactive resource tool.
 

What We Do

Access Our Services

  • Complete an application online. Most benefits and services can be applied for online at Washington Connection.
  • Visit your local DSHS Community Services Office. If you receive public benefits, ask your DSHS caseworker about ORIA services.

    DSHS has many other programs and services to help you. To learn more about DSHS services and how to apply for public benefits, click here.

About ORIA

The Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is part of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, within the agency’s Economic Services Administration and Community Services Division. Our goal is to help refugee and immigrant families and individuals succeed and thrive in Washington state.

Washington Welcomes Refugees

Washington is home to a very large, diverse and dynamic refugee and immigrant community and has historically ranked as one of the top 10 resettlement states in the United States.
 
We have strong community partnerships and provide culturally appropriate services through contracts with community-based organizations, voluntary refugee resettlement agencies, local community colleges, and government agencies.
 

Explore Our Services

Economic stability through support, education and training.

Data

Refugee and Humanitarian Immigrants in Washington in FY 2024

 

WA. map

Unduplicated # of Newly Arrived Refugee Applicants

December 2023

1,028

FFY 2024 (Oct. 2023 – September 2024) TO-DATE

2,589

FFY 2023  (Oct. 2022 – September 2023)

14,652

 

Top 10 Newly Arrived Refugee Applicants by Country of Origin

Country

# of Applicants
December 2023

# of Applicants YTD
October 2023-
September 2024

Afghanistan

378

768

Ukraine

160

467

Syria

72

154

Cuba

35

102

Venezuela

28

94

Haiti

26

76

Democratic Republic of Congo

31

74

Colombia

22

71

Moldova

*

63

Guatemala

17

49