Homepage > About Us
through high-quality legal representation, resettlement, and social work and to create welcoming communities through education and advocacy.
CIRA has grown from two small, volunteer-driven organizations to one unified agency providing comprehensive services to immigrants and refugees across Nebraska.
In 1997, refugee community leader Tor Kuet founded the Southern Sudan Community Association to support refugees adjusting to life in Omaha. The organization later expanded its services to refugees from many countries and became Refugee Empowerment Center (REC), a federally recognized refugee resettlement agency.
In 1999, the United Methodist Committee on Relief launched Justice for Our Neighbors–Nebraska (JFON), a volunteer-led immigration legal clinic in Omaha. As the program grew, it added staff attorneys, expanded statewide, and later became known as Immigrant Legal Center (ILC).
In 2022, the two organizations merged to form the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), bringing legal representation, refugee resettlement, and social work services together under one roof.
Today, CIRA serves thousands of immigrants and refugees across Nebraska and southwest Iowa each year.
Our dedicated team at CIRA is committed to empowering immigrants and refugees through expert legal, resettlement, and social services.
Get in touch with us for assistance, inquiries, or to learn more about our services.
CIRA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in Nebraska. As a nonprofit organization, donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for questions on tax deductibility.
74-3195841
Justice for Our Neighbors-Nebraska
CIRA
Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement
The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) has been awarded $65,000 through the United Way of the Midlands' 2026-2028 Community Impact Fund to expand…
Supporting survivors of trafficking and other crimes is about more than just showing up in a courtroom, according to Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement…
Nebraska business and community leaders are looking for ways to attract and retain workers as the state faces growing workforce needs — and many say…
To empower immigrants and refugees to live confidently through high-quality legal representation, resettlement, and social work and to create welcoming communities through education and advocacy.
We are a 501c3 nonprofit. Our EIN number is 74-3195841. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.
Copyright © 2026 CIRA. All Rights Reserved.