This legislative session took place during a period of significant change for immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon. Federal immigration enforcement activity continues to shape how families experience daily life, and state systems are being asked to respond with greater clarity, consistency, and coordination. 

As a statewide coordination office, the role of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) is to help ensure that response is grounded in real conditions. That means tracking policy developments, supporting implementation across agencies, and staying closely connected to what communities and partners are experiencing in real time. 

This report reflects that work. 

It provides an overview of legislation from the 2026 session that affects immigrant and refugee communities and the systems that serve them. It also outlines where OIRA holds implementation responsibilities and where coordination across agencies will be required as these policies move forward. 

The scope of legislation this session was broad, spanning education, public safety, health care, professional licensing, and data privacy. Some measures expand OIRA’s statutory responsibilities. Others shape the context in which we carry out our coordination role with agencies and community partners. 

This is the first end-of-session report issued by OIRA. As the office continues to grow, providing clear and transparent information about policy activity and implementation will remain a core part of our work. 

Throughout this session, I have remained grounded in the strength and resilience of Oregon’s immigrant and refugee communities. Community-based organizations, service providers, and public institutions continue to work in partnership to support families during a period of uncertainty and change. 

OIRA was created to advance fairness and belonging for immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon. That includes advising state leadership, elevating community voice, and shaping policy in ways that improve access to services and strengthen public systems. 

While OIRA does not operate as a partisan actor, we do advocate within our statutory role to ensure that legislation and implementation reflect lived experience and support communities effectively. 

You can access the full report here: OIRA 2026 Legislative Session Report 

Looking Ahead to 2027 

Planning for the 2027 legislative session is underway. State agencies must submit legislative concepts to the Governor’s Office by April 1, 2026. 

Earlier this month, OIRA invited community partners to share legislative ideas by March 20. To allow additional time for thoughtful input, we are extending the deadline for community responses to May 1.  

Here is the survey link: Community Survey: Policy Ideas for 2027 Session 

As OIRA considers potential proposals, concepts will be grounded in our 2026–2027 Strategic Goals, including: 

• Integrating community voice into policy and decision-making 
• Strengthening statewide coordination across immigrant and refugee systems
• Increasing clarity and transparency in state policies and communication 
• Building capacity in organizations that serve immigrant and refugee communities 

OIRA anticipates bringing forward a limited number of focused proposals informed by documented implementation challenges, coordination gaps, and community input. 

We welcome ideas that align with these goals and strengthen how state systems serve immigrant and refugee communities across Oregon. 

Responses received by May 1 will inform continued policy development and future legislative planning. 

ICIRC Update: Progress Since February 

Since we began bi-weekly meetings in February, the Interagency Council for Immigrant and Refugee Coordination (ICIRC) has focused on building structure for a more coordinated and consistent state response to federal immigration activity and its impacts on communities. 

During this initial phase, the Council has: 

• Established a shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, and legal frameworks, including the Sanctuary Promise Law
• Conducted a cross-agency inventory of existing guidance, protocols, and practices 
• Identified key areas where coordination, clarity, and alignment are needed across agencies 
• Initiated a structured approach to partner engagement to ensure community perspectives inform this work 

 Across these efforts, a consistent theme has emerged. Even as enforcement activity shifts, communities continue to experience impacts that affect access to essential services. This reinforces the need for coordinated, timely, and consistent responses across state agencies. 

The Council is now preparing to move into the next phase of work, which will focus on testing and refining these coordination tools in practice. 

Thank you for your continued partnership. 

 The Community Services Network (CSN), in partnership with health system partners hosts series of free virtual learning sessions

• Understanding the Oregon Health Plan (OHP): An Introductory Class – Spanish Session OHP 101 Registration Link
  Date: May 26, 2026    Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m.

In collaboration with CareOregon’s Connect to Care team, this session offers a welcoming and accessible overview of the Oregon Health Plan, presented entirely in Spanish. Participants will learn who qualifies, the benefits available, and how the program works so they can better support the Spanish-speaking communities they serve.

• Medicare 101 Medicare 101 Registration Link
  Date: April 8, 2026    Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Representatives from Health Share of Oregon and Trillium Community Health Plan will be the presenters for this interactive session. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), learn how they operate within the Oregon Health Plan, and have the opportunity to engage directly with the CCO representatives to ask questions and connect resources to the communities they serve.