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.
Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) Resource Tool
Immigrant Assistance and Naturalization Services
Immigrants in Washington
Washington—one of the major food-producing states in the nation—relies heavily on its large immigrant population. While 15.3 percent of the state’s residents and 19.3 percent of its labor force are foreign-born, immigrants make up 77.0 percent of miscellaneous agricultural workers in the state. They also account for 21.5 percent of entrepreneurs, 30.6 percent of STEM workers, and 17.3 percent of nurses in the state. As neighbors, business owners, taxpayers, and workers, immigrants are an integral part of Washington’s diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all.
Topics of Interest
Added on April 18, 2025
Curious how far local governments can go when immigration questions land on their desks? Harry Boesche’s latest post untangles the legal tug‑of‑war between federal supremacy and state or city initiatives using fresh 2024‑25 court rulings, Washington’s new executive order, and the Keep Washington Working Act as vivid case studies.
In just a few minutes you’ll learn:
why some county rules get struck down while others, like fair‑wage laws for detainees, survive;
how the “intergovernmental immunity” and “anticommandeering” doctrines draw bright lines on cooperation with ICE;
which two federal statutes every local agency must still obey, no matter how “sanctuary” they are.
If you’re a public official, advocate, or simply fascinated by the shifting landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement, this concise guide will leave you smarter and eager to dive into the full analysis.
Read the complete article here: MRSC - Immigration Regulation and the Role of Local Governments