Overview
Since 1979, Washington state has been welcoming refugees who flee persecution in their home country to rebuild their lives in our local communities. Today, Washington continues to be a welcoming place. As we welcome our newest neighbors, we will continue to promote economic and social well-being for all people in our state and look forward to a Washington without poverty and injustice.
Welcoming refugees to our local communities takes a collective effort. The DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance has been working for decades with local refugee resettlement agencies and community-based organizations to provide support services to welcome refugees from more than 70 different nations.
Refugee resettlement
Learn more on our Refugee Resettlement page.
Community involvement
Anyone interested in helping welcome newcomers in other ways can connect directly with local refugee resettlement agencies or directly with the DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance by sending an email to ORIAinfo@dshs.wa.gov.