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Feb 2, 2016

Salvadoran Sisters Reunited with Parents in Charlotte

The biggest difference between North Carolina and El Salvador? “It’s safer here. You can walk around at night,” Vanessa says. The 19-year-old has been in the U.S. for only a few months, but the words fly out almost immediately. “It was such a drastic change… I felt safe right away here.”

Feb 1, 2016

Baltimore Jewish Times on the Syrian Refugee Crisis

The Baltimore Jewish Times ran a story by reporter Melissa Gerr about the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis on January 29, 2016. The story quotes HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield, who told Gerr, "if people are committed to protect refugees just because they look like they do or worship like they do, that won’t really lead to anybody being protected. So we have to stand up for everybody.”

Jan 28, 2016

Guest Post: My Zayda, the Refugee.

My Zayda, Manfred, became a refugee at age six when the Nazis forced him, his family, and thousands of other Polish Jews out of Germany in the fall of 1938. For the last 77 years of his life, Zayda has made it his mission to fight against hatred and teach all of us the danger of being a bystander.

Jan 26, 2016

Opinion: A Call To Welcome Asylum Seekers From Central America

"The Jewish people descended from Hebrew slaves who took refuge in the wilderness. We fled Europe during World War II. We know the heart of the refugee yearning to be free. And so our hearts are heavy that more than 120 people have been taken into custody in the last several weeks since the Department of Homeland Security announced its plan to deport families who had sought asylum from Central American countries, including Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala," write Mark Hetfield and Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner in The Jewish Week.

Jan 22, 2016

Getting to Know Our (Refugee) Neighbors

Columbus, Ohio prides itself on being one of the most welcoming cities in America, but it seems there is still a disconnect between refugees and the people in their communities. So we decided that the native Columbus community needed to meet our new refugee neighbors. Face to face. Person to person. It was time for our clients to have their voices heard and for Columbus to hear them.

Jan 19, 2016

What You Need to Know About the American SAFE Act

In November, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, otherwise known as the American SAFE Act. This week, the Senate will consider this legislation.

Jan 15, 2016

A Victory for Displaced People in Ukraine

On November 3rd, 2015, the Ukrainian Parliament voted to adopt a measure, Draft Law 2166, to provide much needed protections to the 1.5 million souls displaced within Ukraine by the conflict there. However, the president's signature is still needed. The president unexpectedly vetoed the measure in December, but advocates in Ukraine kept up the fight and the measure has finally been signed into law.

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."

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.”

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.

Legal Services in the U.S.

Statelessness

The Graduation Model Approach

The Fundamental Elements of our Economic Inclusion Programs

Tell Congress: VOTE NO on Mass Deportation and Detention

Tell Congress: Resume critical humanitarian programs now

Welcome Corps

Resettlement Partners

Why Community Is So Crucial to Refugees’ Mental Health

WATCH: Caring for the Whole Person

Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors in Ukraine and Moldova

Five Inspiring Community Leaders, One Common Goal

All Stories

Salvadoran Sisters Reunited with Parents in Charlotte