Roughly one third of Orange County residents are foreign born, according to a 2017 report. Now, the county is moving forward with plans to establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
"I stand here today, a former refugee and immigrant, serving as the Chief of Staff for Vice Chairman Andrew Do, who, like me, is also a former refugee from Vietnam," said Van Tran, Supervisor Andrew Do's chief of Staff during an announcement on Wednesday.
The county's board of supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a plan by Supervisor Doug Chafee to establish the office which would be a hub for resources. The county said it will work with state and federal agencies and community organizations. "When I heard that 5-0 vote, it really, really struck me because it is entering into a new phase here in Orange County and in recognizing and providing that respect and dignity to the immigrant community in a way that is going to be laser-focused on helping and supporting," said Apolonio Morales, Director of External Affairs at CHIRLA.
"I had a lot of doubts and fears like, 'What will I do there?' " said Iryna Sobianina, a Ukranian American refugee, who said the community support and government aid made a difference.
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