Seattle committee hears OIRA briefing as city expands immigrant services amid heightened enforcement

On Jan. 28, 2026, the Seattle City Council's Library, Education and Neighborhoods Committee heard a briefing from the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) on programs to support immigrant and refugee residents amid increased federal enforcement and recent disruptions to immigration processing.

Interim Director Bridal Sheikh told the committee that OIRA’s “mission is long term, which is to improve the lives of Seattle's immigrant and refugee communities” while the office remains nimble when national policy shifts. Sheikh said the 2026 adopted budget includes a $4,000,000 increase made ongoing by the council and that OIRA operates with 15 full‑time equivalent staff, supported primarily by the general fund with some payroll expense tax and grants.

The presentation reviewed major programs and near‑term responses. Sheikh described the Legal Defense Network, a contracted network of outside legal partners that in 2024 provided limited services to 295 people, helped 82 people secure work authorization, filed 148 relief requests and attended 38 hearings. Sheikh said OIRA directly funds a legal team through contracts with three partner organizations at approximately $1,300,000 annually; those partners also receive county and state funding.

Sheikh and Communications Advisor Asmi Haroun outlined the office’s…