Office of International Communities
Serving people from all over the world who call Houston home
The Office of International Communities brings together Houston’s international community by promoting their well-being and connectedness and facilitating their successful civic, economic, and cultural integration in Houston. The office is a division of the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods.
• About OIC - Spanish - La Oficina de Comunidades Internacionales
• About OIC - Chinese - OIC 中文網站
• About OIC - Korean - 국제 사회 사무소
• About OIC - Francais - Le Conseil Consultatif aux Relations Internationales
Diversity: Many Worlds Mirror Our Identity
"His most important discovery? That there are many worlds. And that each is different. Each is important. And that one must learn about them, because these other worlds, these other cultures, are mirrors in which we can see ourselves, thanks to which we understand ourselves better – for we cannot define our own identity until having confronted that of others, as comparison.
And that is why Herodotus, having made this discovery – the cultures of others are a mirror in which we can examine ourselves in order to understand ourselves better – every morning, tirelessly, again and again, sets out on his journey.”
-- from Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuściński
President Obama's Executive Order
Important notice about the President’s Executive Order offering deferred action and work authorization for young, undocumented workers
President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday, June 15, 2012 that will allow some 800,000 undocumented immigrants under age 30 who came to the United States as children and who meet certain conditions to remain in the United States without fear of deportation. For information about executive order, including questions and answers, click on the following U.S. Department of Homeland Security links:
- DHS Memo: Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States
- Secretary Napolitano Announces Deferred Action Process for Young People who are Low Enforcement Priority
- Secretaria Napolitano Anuncia Proceso de Acción Diferida para Jóvenes que son Baja Prioridad en la A
About Terence O'Neill
Terence O’Neill is Division Manager of the Office of International Communities, a new initiative under the City’s Department of Neighborhoods established by Mayor Annise Parker. Bringing together Houston's uniquely-diverse international community, O'Neill's team promotes their well-being and connectedness and facilitates their successful civic, economic and cultural integration in Houston.
About Benito Juarez
Benito Juarez oversees immigrant and refugee affairs for the city of Houston. Originally from Guatemala, he has served as the city’s expert on immigration issues for three Houston mayors. Prior to working for the city, Juarez was an active member of community organizations advocating for immigrant and refugee rights.
Contact Us
Main Office Phone: 832.393.1010
Terence O’Neill
Office of International Communities
City Hall
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
PHONE: 832.393.0855
FAX: 832.393.0844
Office of International Communities
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star, #131
Houston, TX 77074
PHONE: 713.778.6503
FAX: 713.778.6561
Advisory Council of International Communities
The Advisory Council of International Communities, known formerly as the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (MACIRA), advises the City on strategies for effective community outreach and services to Houston’s diverse and flourishing international community ...
Global Houston
Global Houston is a new interactive website that connects Houston's international community! This site is intended to become Houston's virtual gateway to the world by linking organizations and businesses that have an international focus. It helps users find international organizations, experts and a multitude of resources all in one place.