/
Community and Volunteer Services / Office of New Americans (ONA)
The Office of New Americans (ONA) was created in 2020 to support the success of Virginia’s immigrant and refugee communities. We connect people with trusted resources, help families adjust to new lives in Virginia and advise state leaders on how to build inclusive, thriving communities.
Immigrant Services
The Virginia Immigrant Services Program helps organizations connect immigrant individuals and families to essential resources, including:
Refugee Services
Supports refugees and others with similar legal status as they adjust to life in Virginia.
Virginia’s Immigrant Services Program helps organizations access resources to support newcomers and their families—empowering immigrants to find opportunity, build community and feel a sense of belonging in the Commonwealth.
Virginia welcomes refugees and their families. The Refugee Resettlement Program helps newcomers adjust to life in their new communities, find stability and build strong futures.
ONA leads a statewide strategy to ensure immigrants and refugees have access to essential services such as housing, employment, healthcare, education and citizenship support.
Through partnerships with state agencies, local governments and community organizations, ONA works to remove barriers and expand opportunities for newcomers.
Separate from the office itself, the ONA Advisory Board advises Virginia’s Governor on how to improve state policies and programs for immigrants and refugees. The Board’s mission is to make Virginia a place where newcomers can thrive as active community members.
In August 2021, President Biden asked the Department of Homeland Security to lead a special effort called Operation Allies Welcome . This program helps Afghans who had to leave their country, especially those who worked with the United States, start new lives safely in the U.S.
USCIS Information for Afghan Nationals
Below are helpful resources to support Afghan families as they settle into their new communities.
Education
Employment
Health
Legal
Other
In April 2022, the United States made a promise to help Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia. The Uniting for Ukraine program allows Ukrainian citizens and their close family members to come to the U.S. and stay here temporarily in a two-year period of parole.
To join the program, each Ukrainian must have a supporter in the U.S. - someone who agrees to help them financially while they are here.
Below are helpful resources for Ukrainian families as they settle into life in America.
Education
Employment
Health
Other
Be part of the work to strengthen immigrant and refugee communities in Virginia.
Find my local department