← All life events
New to the U.S. in Oregon: What to Do First
Moving to a new country brings a long list of paperwork, and it's normal to worry that asking for help could hurt an immigration case. You don't have to guess: some programs below, like Healthier Oregon, don't factor in your immigration status at all when deciding if you qualify.
If you're not sure whether a specific program could affect your case, talk to Equity Corps of Oregon first — they give free legal advice, so you can ask before you decide instead of worrying alone.
This checklist starts with finding legal advice you can trust, then covers health coverage, refugee resettlement support, and what to do if you hit a financial emergency.
Start with legal advice, not guesswork
Contact Equity Corps of Oregon for free legal advice about your immigration case.
Equity Corps gives free immigration legal representation and can help cover filing fees if your household income is under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and you're at risk of deportation or need help with an immigration matter.
Equity Corps of Oregon
If Equity Corps can't take your case, try Immigration Counseling Service or Catholic Charities of Oregon.
Both are nonprofit immigration law providers — ICS offers help at low or nominal fees, including for people without legal status, and Catholic Charities handles family reunification, green cards, DACA, and cases for survivors of abuse or trafficking.
Immigration Counseling Service (ICS) · Catholic Charities of Oregon — Immigration Legal Services
If you or a family member is in ICE detention or facing removal, reach out to Pueblo Unido PDX.
Pueblo Unido connects people with a vulnerable immigration status in the Pacific Northwest to immigration attorneys and helps gather evidence for the case.
Pueblo Unido PDX — Legal Navigation
Get health and dental coverage
Apply for Healthier Oregon to get full health coverage.
Since July 2023, Oregon no longer looks at immigration status to decide who can get full Oregon Health Plan benefits — if you meet the income rules, you can qualify no matter your status or age.
Healthier Oregon (OHP regardless of immigration status)
If you're Marshallese, Micronesian, or Palauan (COFA) and don't qualify for full OHP, ask about the COFA Dental Program.
It covers dental care like cleanings, fillings, extractions, and some dentures with no copays for COFA citizens with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.
COFA Dental Program
If you live in Multnomah County, connect with Immigrant & Refugee Health Services.
This clinic offers medical screening and shots, prescriptions, help with school and green-card health forms, and case management in many languages for refugees, asylum seekers, and new immigrants.
Multnomah County Immigrant & Refugee Health Services
If money becomes an emergency
Contact Oregon Worker Relief if you've lost income and can't get unemployment or federal aid.
Oregon Worker Relief gives direct financial help to immigrant Oregonians who are locked out of unemployment and federal aid because of their immigration status, including funds for people who are houseless or farmworkers who lost wages in a disaster.
Oregon Worker Relief
Keep copies of your immigration paperwork, ID, and any income proof together in one place — legal help, health coverage, and resettlement programs will each want to see them, and having copies ready keeps you from starting over each time.
Not sure which of these fit your household? Answer a few questionsand we’ll rank everything for you.
Every program for this moment
Low-cost immigration lawyers for families and survivors
Program: Catholic Charities of Oregon — Immigration Legal Services
Low-cost consultations and legal representation for immigration cases — family reunification, green cards, DACA, deportation defense, and visas for survivors of abuse or trafficking (VAWA, U-visa, T-visa).
Who it’s for: Immigrants and refugees who need low-cost immigration legal help, including survivors of domestic violence, assault, or trafficking
See the rule
“Catholic Charities' Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program is a nonprofit law program providing low-cost consultations and legal representation to immigrants and refugees throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Free dental care for Marshallese, Micronesian & Palauan (COFA) residents
Program: COFA Dental Program
Dental coverage like OHP Plus with no copays — cleanings, fillings, extractions, emergency dental, and some dentures — for COFA citizens who don't qualify for full OHP.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $1,840 a month (for 1 person) — citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau (COFA) lawfully in the U.S. who don't qualify for full OHP
See the rule
“Have household income at or below 138% of the FPL, and Lawfully reside in the United States in accordance with COFA” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
A free immigration lawyer and help with filing fees
Program: Equity Corps of Oregon
Free immigration legal representation plus a fund that covers filing fees and expert evaluations. You get an actual lawyer if you're facing deportation or need help with a case.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $2,660 a month (for 1 person) — people at risk of deportation or who need help with an immigration case
See the rule
“Your household income must be below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines... You must be at risk of deportation or need help with an immigration legal matter.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Free health coverage, any immigration status
Program: Healthier Oregon (OHP regardless of immigration status)
Full Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) benefits for people of any age who meet income and other criteria -- immigration status no longer affects whether you qualify.
Who it’s for: People who meet Oregon Health Plan income limits, at any age and regardless of immigration status
Apply online (ONE.Oregon.gov)In personBy phone
See the rule
“As of July 1, 2023, people of all ages who meet income and other criteria qualify for full OHP benefits and other services and supports, no matter their immigration status.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-05 · Report incorrect information
Oregon's oldest nonprofit immigration law firm, low fees
Program: Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)
Nonprofit immigration legal help at low or nominal fees: asylum, green cards, DACA, work permits, family petitions, and court representation.
Who it’s for: Low-income immigrants, including people without legal status, people in detention, farm workers, and survivors of trafficking
See the rule
“Detained individuals, Domestic Violence Victims, Farm workers, Human Trafficking Survivors... Individuals who are not in legal immigration status” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
A clinic that helps new refugees and asylum seekers get care
Program: Multnomah County Immigrant & Refugee Health Services
Medical screening and shots, prescriptions, help with school and green-card health forms, and case management in many languages, with a program to help new arrivals learn the U.S. health system.
Who it’s for: People who live in Multnomah County — refugees, asylum seekers, and new immigrants living in Multnomah County
See the rule
“If you are a refugee or are seeking asylum, we can help you get the care you need.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Emergency cash for immigrant workers shut out of unemployment
Program: Oregon Worker Relief
Direct financial help for immigrant Oregonians locked out of unemployment and federal aid because of their status, including a fund for people who are houseless and one for farmworkers who lost wages in a disaster.
Who it’s for: Immigrant Oregonians who can't get unemployment or federal aid because of their immigration status
See the rule
“[Rehousing Fund] supports with financial assistance to Oregonians who are houseless...or fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Help finding a deportation-defense lawyer
Program: Pueblo Unido PDX — Legal Navigation
Free navigators who connect you to an immigration attorney, help gather evidence for your case, and advocate for people fighting detention or deportation.
Who it’s for: People in the Pacific Northwest with a vulnerable immigration status, including those in ICE detention or removal proceedings
See the rule
“Pueblo Unido connects people who have a vulnerable immigration status in the Pacific Northwest to immigration attorneys.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Monthly cash and health coverage for new refugees
Program: Refugee Cash & Refugee Medical Assistance (ODHS Refugee Services)
A monthly EBT card for basic needs like food, rent, and transportation, plus medical coverage, to bridge your first months in the U.S.
Who it’s for: Refugees, asylees, and other eligible new arrivals in their first few months in the U.S.
Apply onlineBy phoneIn person
See the rule
“Refugee cash and medical benefits are for people who: Have an eligible immigration status... Have been in the U.S. as a refugee for less than 4 months, or who received their qualifying status within the past 4 months.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
A welcome team, temporary home, and job help when you arrive
Program: SOAR — Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon)
Refugee resettlement support: a temporary furnished home with household goods and food on arrival, plus help learning English, building job skills, and finding work.
Who it’s for: Refugees resettling in Oregon
See the rule
“Refugees are welcomed, given temporary homes with household items and food, and offered assistance as they learn a new language, develop job skills and search for employment.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Browse every program by kind of help instead.