The Alaska Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony Saturday on legislation that would create a state office to help immigrants and newcomers settle into Alaska communities.

Senate Bill 169 would establish the Welcoming Alaska Office within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, replacing the Office of Citizenship Assistance. The office would help school districts recruit foreign-born educators, assist with visa applications, and provide services to help immigrants integrate into Alaska's workforce and communities. The office would also conduct a study to determine immigration opportunities in the state with input from employers, with findings due by July 1, 2027.

The Office of Citizenship Assistance had been dormant for many years before recent efforts to revive it under Commissioner Muñoz's leadership. Its longtime director recently announced his retirement and has left the division. Senate Bill 169 was introduced on April 11, 2025, and referred to State Affairs and Finance committees.

Senator Loki Tobin, who represents Senate District I, said the idea came from a Nome resident whose wife is Filipino and who has helped welcome Filipino educators to the community.

"The genesis for this bill was actually a community member from my hometown of Nome," Tobin said. "His wife is Filipino, and over the last few years, they have welcomed many Filipino educators coming to teach in their school district. And he would often share that there just doesn't seem to be a place where folks were able to find fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about Alaska, to feel connected, and to feel really invested in the community."

The bill would expand services beyond the current citizenship assistance program to include employment information, job placement services, and support for immigrants facing workplace discrimination or unsafe working conditions. The office would also help school districts navigate visa applications and recruitment of foreign-born teachers. Under the legislation, the Welcoming Alaska Office would provide English and Alaska Native language instruction among other services, and would prioritize establishment in an existing state office facility or on a University of Alaska campus.

"The bill before you has several key provisions," Tobin said. "One would empower a Welcoming Alaska Office to help oversee educators, especially assisting our political subdivisions, our locally elected school districts, with the fees and other costs associated with visa applications, recruitments, and housing support for these new immigrants and newcomers."

Tobin said Kodiak school district superintendent President Stevens recently contacted her about helping H-1B visa holders transition to green cards.