Throughout May, as we celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we also continued hearing a consistent message from communities across Oregon: in times of uncertainty, clear communication, trust, and coordination matter. The month served as an important opportunity to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures, leadership, and contributions of AANHPI communities across our state and country.
We also heard something else clearly: communities continue showing up for one another.
While detention numbers reported by community partners are not currently at the levels seen last fall, detentions are still occurring across Oregon, and the fear connected to immigration enforcement continues shaping everyday decisions for many families. Community partners continue reporting concerns about families feeling hesitant to take children to school, apply for public benefits due to data-sharing fears, seek healthcare services, attend courthouse appointments, or participate in everyday public life because of ongoing uncertainty and confusion around immigration enforcement activity and protections under Oregon law.
One theme surfaced repeatedly throughout the month. While agencies often experience issues through separate systems, communities often experience interactions with public systems collectively as “the state.” That reality reinforces why coordination matters.
Throughout May, the Interagency Council on Immigrant and Refugee Coordination (ICIRC) completed pilot implementation activities with participating agencies to test and refine cross-agency coordination pathways, issue intake processes, escalation structures, and implementation guidance ahead of the May 30 implementation milestone under Executive Order 26-04.
|
ICIRC also finalized and began piloting the Interagency Coordination Framework (ICF), a statewide coordination structure developed under EO 26-04 to support more consistent communication and coordination across participating Council agencies during periods of increased federal immigration enforcement activity. The framework was developed to help OIRA and the Council meet the coordination, communication, and implementation responsibilities outlined under EO 26-04 while supporting a more predictable cross-agency approach to emerging issues and operational impacts.
Implementation of the framework is currently limited to agencies participating on the Interagency Council under Executive Order 26-04.
For immigrant and refugee communities, the framework is intended to help reduce confusion, improve coordination across public systems, support more consistent communication, and strengthen reliable access to services during periods of uncertainty. For community partners, the framework creates clearer pathways for coordination, issue escalation, communication, and shared understanding across agencies.
The framework helps explain how agencies, OIRA, ICIRC, and executive leadership work together on issues that affect multiple agencies, while still respecting each agency’s existing roles and responsibilities.
Pilot implementation work during May highlighted several important themes, including the need for clear and consistent communication, readiness for implementation, concerns about access to services, and the ongoing value of trusted community partnerships during times of rapid change.
ICIRC also convened community leaders, state agency directors, local government partners, and the Governor’s Office for a joint implementation discussion focused on trust, coordination, communication, and operational readiness. The conversation reinforced the importance of building systems that are not only legally compliant, but also understandable, responsive, and grounded in the realities communities are experiencing.
As we move into June, OIRA and ICIRC will continue focusing on onboarding Sanctuary Promise Leads, using implementation tools and guidance, supporting training efforts, strengthening communication coordination, and continuing cross-agency implementation work under EO 26-04.
Thank you to the many community partners, local leaders, agency staff, and advocates who continue showing up with honesty, care, and a willingness to work together during a complicated and rapidly changing time.
 |
|
New resources for partner organizations to share
Denied or closed SNAP?
A new one pager has been created for individuals who have been denied or had their SNAP case closed. It is available online in 15 languages on the forms server using form number 100-1432400_4
|
 |
|
Connecting/using Oregon Eligibility (ONE) for food, medical, cash or childcare benefits
The new ONE Promotional Toolkit is ready and available in twelve languages. This toolkit has all kinds of resources that can be re-shared by your organization to help people in Oregon connect with and use the ONE system. For other languages visit the public forms server and search 2436_A.
|
Food benefits for school-aged kids
Summer EBT is a grocery benefits program. It helps families buy food for their school-aged children when school is out. Each summer, families will get one payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries. Learn more and post the flyers to share:
Changes that affect immigrants on OHP in late 2026 and 2027
The federal government will require some changes to Oregon Health Plan (OHP) for many immigrants in late 2026 and 2027.
In Oregon (unlike other states), this does not mean people will lose OHP. Oregon has a program called Healthier Oregon that provides full OHP benefits regardless of immigration status. For more information, please visit OHP.Oregon.gov/HR1.
2026 World Beat Festival June 27-28, Salem
World Beat Festival 2026
June 27-28 This year we are celebrating the cultures of Pacific Islanders - from Samoa to Chuuk to Hawaii. Join us in Riverfront Park where you can experience the music, dance, food and traditions of over 60 nations and cultures. Things kick off with a Children’s Parade at 9:45 am on Saturday and will continue until Sunday evening.
|
Afghan Support Network, Eid-al-Adha Celebration (June 14)
June 14, 2026, Noon-5 p.m.
Location: River Shelter Wilsonville Memorial Park, 8100 SW Wilsonville Rd, Wilsonville, OR, 97070
Learn more and register
Afghan Support Network Networking Event (June 16)
June 16, 2026 6-8 p.m.
Location: 10865 SW 5th St STE 250, Beaverton, Oregon, 97005
Job seeking or Hiring? Exploring Opportunities? Growing Your Network?
Looking for workforce? Join Us To Connect, Learn, and Share
Register Here
اینجا راجستر کنید | دلته راجستری وکړی
|
Rohingya Youth Association of Portland Programs
The Rohingya Youth Association of Portland is offering the following community programs:
- ESL for Men and Women: English language classes for all levels.
- Food Distribution: monthly cultural food access to fresh groceries and nutritional support.
- Case Management: Empowering clients to achieve maximum independence and wellness
- Youth Soccer: Organized sports and teamwork building for local youth.
- Transitional and Community Health Worker support services.
- Interpretation Program: Professional language assistance for medical and legal needs.
- Home Repair Program: Assistance with essential home maintenance and safety repairs.
- Workforce Training & Development: Career coaching and job skill workshops.
- After School Program: Academic tutoring and enrichment activities for students.
- Farming Program: Sustainable agriculture
|
World Refugee Day Walk 2026, Portland
This World Refugee Day, join neighbors, friends, and community members across the Portland metro area for a casual walk in honor of refugees and displaced people around the world. Life can feel full and overwhelming and one way we can cope is with simple moments of connection.
No big program, no speeches. Just a welcoming space to move together, reflect, and reconnect with what matters.
|
World Refugee Day Celebration and Soccer Training 2026, Portland
Bottles To Soccer and partners invite youth ages 5–18 to join us on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 6–8 PM at Eastside Timbers Sports Complex.
This will be a fun evening of: Free soccer training with high-level coaches, Free T-shirts with player numbers (depending on funding), Free soccer balls (depending on funding), Free snacks, Music, culture, and community
While the priority is for refugee, immigrant, and low-income youth and families, we encourage everyone who loves soccer and community to attend. Register to join us!
|
