The Biden administration’s new Welcome Corps initiative represents a breakthrough in advancing private refugee sponsorship in the United States — but is by no means the first program of its kind in North America. The American initiative, according to HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield, in fact drew inspiration from a similar program in Canada.
HIAS Israel awarded 44 scholarships this year to student immigrants.
The winners came from Ethiopia, France, the United States, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Ecuador. For many of the students, the $2,500 scholarship enables them to complete another year in school — whether college, graduate, or doctoral level.
The annual event, taking place in communities around the world February 3-4, invites communities and individuals to dedicate a Shabbat to affirming their support for refugees and other displaced people.
A new report by HIAS and Right to Protection (R2P) found that, while the European Union (EU)’s landmark decision to invoke the Temporary Protection Directive granted rights and status to at least 4.9 million people, many non-Ukrainians fleeing Ukraine did not get the same support.
In an appearance on “CNN Newsroom” on Friday morning, HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield praised the Welcome Corps, a new Biden administration initiative that allows Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world. The initiative resembles what HIAS has been doing through its own Welcome Circles, starting with Afghan evacuees in 2021.
Welcome Corps, the first U.S. government program supporting private refugee sponsorship in nearly 40 years, will allow Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, HIAS committed considerable resources and expertise toward assisting clients displaced by the conflict, which has triggered one of the world’s largest refugee crises. On the eve of the war’s anniversary, HIAS’ efforts have been recognized: We are among the Jewish activists and organizations honored by this year’s Genesis Prize (also known as the “Jewish Nobel”) for working to uphold Ukraine’s independence and alleviate the suffering of the People of Ukraine.
On January 5, the Biden administration announced that Title 42 — the public health order that was invoked by the Trump administration at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, which in essence stops most people from seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border — would be expanded.
In a moment when asylum seekers and other migrants are frequently regarded as threats, HIAS and T’ruah brought rabbis to the U.S.-Mexico border to speak to the moral imperative at the heart of this issue: recognizing the humanity of those seeking safety in the United States.
On December 20th, HIAS Europe was awarded the Share the Light prize by the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) during the 18th annual EuroChanukah festivities hosted by the European Commission. The prize was given in recognition of HIAS Europe’s work responding to the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine, especially in the resettlement of displaced people.
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