All Stories

Jan 13, 2016

A More Welcoming Union

"America has been through big changes before ...Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears."

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Jan 11, 2016

Lucy Kiama, Helping the Most Vulnerable Refugees in Kenya

Ask Lucy Kiama about refugees or victims of sexual violence in Kenya and she instantly offers a wealth of information and useful context. Her accent is lovely, almost musical, but the words are serious and full of determination. “What drew me to HIAS was the focus on helping the most vulnerable,” Kiama says. “Being forcibly displaced from their countries does not mean that their lives have stopped.”

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Jan 7, 2016

Client Success Story: ‘Bintou’ Granted Asylum

When Bintou* came to HIAS seeking legal assistance, she was anxious about her future. While she was in the United States pursuing a business degree, war had broken out in Mali, her country of citizenship. She feared it would not be safe for her to return there, but she wasn’t sure what she could do about it.

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Jan 4, 2016

Kids Day Out: Uganda [VIDEO]

Forty four refugee children, all currently receiving therapy from HIAS’ trained staff, enjoyed a day out in Kampala, Uganda. “It’s an opportunity for the children to feel welcomed, loved and accepted in this world. It’s an opportunity to rekindle their hope," said Timothy Mukua, psychosocial program manager at HIAS Uganda.

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Jan 2, 2016

Commentary: Setting the Record Straight on Syrian Refugees

Miller speculates that only refugees in camps are eligible for processing, that there are few Christian refugees in camps, and that therefore all resettled Syrian refugees are Muslims. These are myths. Of all the refugees resettled by HIAS across the country, so far 10 percent of the Syrian refugees resettled have been Christian, and more than 35 percent of Iraqi refugees have been Christian or other non-Muslim minorities.

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Dec 29, 2015

A Barber, a Tailor and a Carpenter

A barber. A tailor. A carpenter. Elementary and pre-school kids. Just a few of the Syrian refugees HIAS President Mark Hetfield met on a recent visit to Toledo, Ohio.

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Dec 23, 2015

Omnibus Bill Extends the Lautenberg Amendment

Last week President Obama signed into law a massive $1.1 trillion bill to fund the government. Nestled deep in the bill was a small provision that makes a world of difference to families who are persecuted due to their religious beliefs.

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Dec 23, 2015

The Jewish Week: An Open Letter To Mayor Bill de Blasio On Syrian Refugees

With the Statue of Liberty standing in New York Harbor, it is critical that New York City has a mayor who stands up for refugees. For decades, immigrants — in many cases refugees fleeing persecution in their home countries — have found refuge in New York and helped drive economic growth cultural diversity as they started new lives in safety. You reminded us earlier this month, New York is a “city of immigrants,” which is integral to the unique fabric of communities ranging from Washington Heights to Coney Island.

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Dec 21, 2015

A Bar Mitzvah Project, with an Emphasis on the Mitzvah

Zachary Raney came home from Rosh Hashanah services at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham, North Carolina with a light in his eyes. His rabbi, Larry Bach, had given a sermon about the refugee crisis in Syria and how thousands of children were being affected. As Jews, Rabbi Bach said, we have an obligation to help.

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Dec 16, 2015

Local Communities Affirm: Refugees Welcome

In Ohio, despite Gov. John Kasich’s anti-refugee stance, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issued a statement saying, "the City of Cleveland has always opened her arms to refugees, regardless of where they are from." The Cleveland City Council also weighed in, passing an emergency resolution “to reiterate that all refugees, regardless of faith or country of origin are welcome in the City of Cleveland.”

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