CIRA Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement

CIRA Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement Nebraska’s largest provider of immigration legal representation, resettlement & social work services.

CIRA strengthens welcoming, supportive communities where immigrants and refugees thrive.

Did you know public art can make roads safer? Now you do!One study found murals can help calm traffic and can even contr...
09/04/2026

Did you know public art can make roads safer? Now you do!

One study found murals can help calm traffic and can even contribute to fewer car accidents. Calm drivers make our roads safer, which is especially important by our busy Omaha headquarters on 42nd and Center.

We’re grateful to have all four sides of our Omaha headquarters wrapped in a mural by artist David Manzanares. Inspired by the many journeys that bring people to Nebraska, the mural was created collaboratively, drawing from the stories, memories and hopes of immigrants, refugees, CIRA staff and community members.

It was created to make people feel seen and welcomed, while bringing color and life to the neighborhood. And apparently, public art may make the streets around it a little safer, too.

Where’s your favorite public art located?

CIRA staff members don’t just exercise our minds in courtrooms and meetings. Sometimes we exercise our muscles, too!We’v...
09/03/2026

CIRA staff members don’t just exercise our minds in courtrooms and meetings. Sometimes we exercise our muscles, too!

We’ve been lucky to build a strong relationship (pun intended) with PowerLife Aksarben instructor German A., who has been such a generous supporter of CIRA and our work.

German is hosting two donation-based Power Sculpt classes, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting CIRA. We’re incredibly grateful to German and Power Life Aksarben for finding such a fun way to bring people together in support of our immigrant and refugee neighbors.

There are limited spaces available, so sign up soon!

Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1 PM
Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1 PM

And yes, that’s our Legal Director getting some reps in. Advocating for immigrant and refugee rights isn’t the only heavy lifting she does.

09/02/2026

Solicitar asilo, como muchos otros procesos de inmigración, no es fácil. Dependiendo de cómo la persona ingresó a los EE.UU., el gobierno trata los casos de manera diferente. Como nos dice el representante acreditado del Departamento de Justicia, Jaime Mendenhall, hay dos maneras de solicitar asilo en los Estados Unidos.

Las personas pueden solicitar asilo si son perseguidos en su país de origen por motivos de raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenencia a un grupo social en particular u opinión política.

Los asilados que buscan protección en EE. UU. son personas increíblemente valientes que buscan una oportunidad para prosperar en comunidades seguras.

09/02/2026

Claiming asylum, like many other immigration processes, isn't easy. Depending on how the person entered the U.S., the government treats the cases differently. As DOJ Accredited Representative Jaime Mendenhall tells us, there are a two ways to claim asylum in the U.S.

People can claim asylum if they are persecuted in their home country on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylees who seek protection in the U.S. are incredibly courageous people who seek an opportunity to thrive in safe communities.

CIRA is so lucky to have seven DOJ Accredited Representatives across the state.❓So what do they do?DOJ Accredited Repres...
09/01/2026

CIRA is so lucky to have seven DOJ Accredited Representatives across the state.

❓So what do they do?

DOJ Accredited Representatives are recognized by the Department of Justice to be able to provide immigration legal services through a recognized nonprofit organization, like CIRA! That means they can help people navigate immigration cases in many of the same ways an immigration attorney can. At CIRA, our DOJ Accredited Representatives help community members with everything from applying for asylum to filing for an adjustment of status and getting Green Cards.

Becoming a DOJ Accredited Representative requires significant training and knowledge of immigration law. To receive accreditation, representatives must demonstrate to the Department of Justice that they have the education, training and experience needed to provide quality immigration legal services. And as an added plus, they are some of the best team members around!

A big thank you to FNBO for selecting CIRA as a 2026 FNBO Impact Grant recipient! This $20,000 grant will support our re...
09/01/2026

A big thank you to FNBO for selecting CIRA as a 2026 FNBO Impact Grant recipient! This $20,000 grant will support our refugee employment program and help expand financial education for the people we serve.

Through free classes, CIRA clients can build practical financial skills, learn about available resources and get guidance as they work toward their own financial goals. Classes are designed to be accessible regardless of language, education level or income.

We’re grateful to FNBO for investing in this work and helping more people build financial confidence and create greater stability for themselves and their families.

There is no country named “America.”Two continents share the name (North America and South America) and within the Ameri...
08/29/2026

There is no country named “America.”

Two continents share the name (North America and South America) and within the Americas, there hundreds of spoken languages and cultures. The region stretches to more than 20 distinct time zones and reaches three distinct hemispheres. But amongst all of these differences, there is one main similarity.

Whether people live in the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, or any of the other North or South American countries, they all make up the Americas.

Americans support one another, empower one another, and grow stronger.
Together. 🦋

Our Omaha office hosted a very special guest during our lunch hour! Andrés Segura taught us about migration between Col...
08/28/2026

Our Omaha office hosted a very special guest during our lunch hour! Andrés Segura taught us about migration between Colombia and Venezuela as well as the power of storytelling. Segura is a published researcher and was on the staff of former President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos as well as for the Mayor of Bogotá.

Andrés has extensive experience in creating and implementing policies that support refugees in a very compassionate way. He took the time to share his vast knowledge with CIRA staff where we learned a lot, asked a lot of questions, and discovered that Toy Story is actually a story of migration and accepting new members of our community.

🚀Buzz enters Andy's room as a new toy
🤔Woody is hesitant to accept him at first
🤠Andy's toys learn how much better Buzz makes the playroom
🫶Buzz and Woody end up best friends
🎵You've got a friend in me

🎉A big congratulations goes out to our one and only Veronica Amaya! Vero has been a Legal Assistant with us for 9 years,...
08/27/2026

🎉A big congratulations goes out to our one and only Veronica Amaya! Vero has been a Legal Assistant with us for 9 years, and she is now expanding her expertise into social work as our newest Social Work Intern! Talk about hard working!

With her extensive knowledge of law and immigration, Vero will add valuable experience and insight to our already extremely talented and hardworking Social Work Team.

Congratulations Vero!

08/25/2026

Knowing your rights can help you feel more prepared during an encounter with immigration enforcement.

CIRA’s Know Your Rights page includes resources in English and Spanish, including quick-reference guides, family emergency planning tools, Know Your Rights cards and information about getting legal help.

Save these resources, review them with your family and share them with someone who may need them: ciraconnect.org/know-your-rights

Address

4223 Center Street
Omaha, NE
68105

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14028981349

Website

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