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.

06/11/2026

⚽️We drew for teams.

We've prepped mentally and emotionally.

The time has come for our teams to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

To make things fair, each CIRA team member blind drew for a country team and gets to root for their country to head all the way to the championships! The World Cup reminds us that our communities are stronger because of their diversity—and that there is joy in celebrating where we come from while building a future together.

Who would make it to your final? 👀🌎

One year ago today, ICE conducted a workplace raid in our Omaha community. It left families facing uncertainty, fear, an...
06/11/2026

One year ago today, ICE conducted a workplace raid in our Omaha community. It left families facing uncertainty, fear, and separation that continues to this day. Today, we recognize what these families have gone through and the challenges they have been forced to navigate. We also honor the advocates, service providers, and neighbors who came together to offer support, resources, and a pathway to hope during a difficult time.

CIRA has continued to respond to the growing and changing needs of our communities in all of our service pillars. Our Legal Team has formed a raid response team and pivoted in challenging ICE tactics. Our Social Work Team has opened their support for community-based social work and ensure mental and emotional needs are met. Our Community Engagement Team has expanded Know Your Rights education campaigns and established stronger statewide support networks.

The impact of the fear caused by increased immigration enforcement does not end when headlines fade. Families continue to rebuild. Communities continue to heal. As we mark one year since the Glenn Valley Foods raid in Omaha, we reaffirm our commitment to standing alongside immigrant and refugee communities. We are all working toward a future where every person is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Immigration courts across the country are increasingly using “mega master hearings,” placing dozens—and sometimes up to ...
06/10/2026

Immigration courts across the country are increasingly using “mega master hearings,” placing dozens—and sometimes up to 100—people on a single court docket. The practice is expected to begin in Omaha this week.

While courts say the change helps address backlogs, immigration attorneys are raising concerns about due process, including adequate notice, language access, courtroom capacity, and whether individuals will have a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

The stakes are high: missing a hearing can result in an in absentia removal order and possible deportation.

Every person deserves timely notice, a meaningful opportunity to be heard, and a fair process before a court makes decisions that may permanently affect their future and their families.

06/08/2026

When you try the “Do we have any Spanish speakers?” trend at CIRA…and like half the office shows up. 😂

And imagine: this trend just focuses on Spanish speakers, while at CIRA, our staff members can speak a total of 29 different languages! 🌎

We’re so proud to show off a team during week that reflects the communities we serve and work alongside every day.

Language access matters, as our friends at World Speaks know, and we’re so grateful for the many Spanish-speaking team members who help make our work possible 🦋

🗓Save the Date!The second Welcoming Workforce Summit is coming in July! Join employers, business leaders, and service pr...
06/05/2026

🗓Save the Date!

The second Welcoming Workforce Summit is coming in July! Join employers, business leaders, and service providers for a day of connection and networking to discuss the opportunities and challenges surrounding today’s immigration landscape.

This summit, hosted by CIRA and Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is a great way to learn from others, share ideas, and explore practical strategies for building a more inclusive, welcoming, and successful workforce for all Nebraskans. Whether you're an employer, community partner, or workforce advocate, you'll leave with valuable insights and connections to help strengthen Nebraska's workforce and economy. ✨

July 23, 2026
York, NE
Register now! https://bit.ly/York-Workforce-Summit

06/04/2026

You asked, we answered! We've received a few questions about how to find our Lincoln office, so come along with Communications Coordinator Kassidy as she walks you through the journey!

Lincoln is just one of our offices outside of Omaha. We also have CIRA experts in Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Lexington, and Nebraska City. That means we're literally statewide!

121 S. 13th St., Lincoln, NE 68508

Pop Quiz: Could you pass the U.S. citizenship test?One of the questions asked on the naturalization exam is:👉 “Why do U....
06/03/2026

Pop Quiz: Could you pass the U.S. citizenship test?

One of the questions asked on the naturalization exam is:
👉 “Why do U.S. reps serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?"
A. To have more elections
B. To better represent the will of the people
C. To more closely follow public opinion
D. To ensure there are frequent actions in a democracy
(Scroll to find out!)

Now here's the bigger picture: this is just one of now 128 civics questions immigrants seeking naturalization as U.S. citizens may need to study under the updated citizenship test. The test is not multiple choice. It’s conducted live, in person, as part of the naturalization interview, where applicants must respond verbally and demonstrate their understanding of U.S. civics and government.
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Answer: C

There are real human beings behind every immigration statistic. And often, those human beings are children.A recent stud...
06/03/2026

There are real human beings behind every immigration statistic. And often, those human beings are children.

A recent study estimates more than 145,000 U.S. citizen children have experienced the detention of at least one of their parents since the Trump administration increased immigration enforcement actions. More than one-third of those children are less than six years old.

Children should never have to face a life forcibly separated from loving parents. We need to remember wide-spreading immigration policies can unfairly impact children. Immigrants and their families deserve stability, support, and an opportunity to thrive.

Share this post and help raise awareness about the uncertainty that comes with sweeping immigration enforcement policies.

Si tú o alguien que conoces necesita ayuda con inmigración y no sabes por dónde empezar, llama a la línea de ayuda de NI...
06/02/2026

Si tú o alguien que conoces necesita ayuda con inmigración y no sabes por dónde empezar, llama a la línea de ayuda de NILAH al 1-855-307-6730.

¿Qué es NILAH?

La Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline (Línea de Ayuda Legal de Inmigración de Nebraska) es gratis y confidencial.

Cuando llames, alguien te hará preguntas para saber para qué tipo de ayuda podrías calificar. Entre ellas:

✅Peticiones familiares
✅Asilo
✅TPS (Estatus de Protección Temporal)
✅Renovaciones de DACA (Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia)
✅Ayuda con la naturalización

El equipo de la línea habla inglés y español — y además tenemos acceso a intérpretes en más de 240 idiomas a través de Language Line Solutions.

La línea está abierta de lunes a jueves, de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. (hora central). Por favor presione el 9 para dejar un mensaje de voz con tu nombre y número de teléfono durante el horario de oficina y te devolveremos la llamada.*Recuerda nuestro horario ampliado

Recuerda: Nuestra ayuda siempre es gratuita. Nunca te pediremos dinero a cambio de servicios legales.

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If you or someone you know needs help with immigration but don’t know where to start, call the NILAH hotline at 1-855-307-6730.

What is NILAH?

The Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline is free and private. When you call, someone will ask you questions about what type of help you may qualify for.
Types of help includes:

✅Removal defense
✅Family petitions
✅Asylum
✅TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
✅DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewals
✅Naturalization help

The team at the hotline speak both English and Spanish - and we have access to interpreters in 240+ languages through Language Line Solutions.

The hotline is open Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST - Please press 9 to leave a voicemail with your name and phone number. *Note our expanded hours!

Remember: Our help is always free. We will never ask you to send money in exchange for legal services.

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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