Advocate for Refugee Rights

Advocacy is fundamental to our work, and with the Jewish community beside us we stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.

HIAS Advocacy Courthouse 2020 | Advocate For Refugee Rights | HIAS Advocacy Work

Activists from HIAS and other refugee-supporting organizations demonstrate at Ronald Reagan Airport in response to the decision to reduce the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. Washington, D.C., October 16, 2019. (Eric Kruszewski for HIAS)

Overview

HIAS’ advocacy work in the United States and abroad is guided by over a century of expertise in assisting forcibly displaced people. We advocate for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people, regardless of their national, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. HIAS works to protect and advance fair and humane refugee and asylum policies. In the U.S., our work largely focuses on refugee resettlement and asylum; throughout the world, we advocate for policies that serve displaced people, including through protection and safety, economic integration, ending violence against women and girls, and responding to emergencies. Through this work, we seek to create a world in which all forcibly displaced people can rebuild their lives and find safety, welcome, and opportunity.

800+

congregations have taken action for forcibly displaced people with HIAS

Strategies

HIAS works to uphold and expand the rights and protections of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people around the world. We accomplish this by:

  • Engaging directly with Congress, federal governmental agencies, and the administration to protect refugee rights.

  • Urging the international community to support international and local organizations in their response to ongoing and emergent humanitarian crises.

  • Mobilizing our supporters to stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people by contacting their elected officials.

  • Engaging the Jewish community in grassroots advocacy.

  • Carrying out local, on-the-ground advocacy for displaced people served by our country offices around the world.

Impact

A rabbi stands at the border wall between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez during a border delegation with HIAS and T’ruah on December 12, 2022. (Justin Hamel for HIAS)

Jewish Clergy Stand Against Scapegoating and Targeting

The American Jewish community has long affirmed its commitment to standing up for the rights and dignity of those seeking safety in our country. In response to the Trump administration’s draconian policy changes related to immigration, more than 600 Jewish clergy from across the country have signed a letter expressing their concern over our country’s horrific treatment of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Read More

Resources

Action Guide for Congregations and Communities

People and communities of faith have a unique, powerful, and morally resonant role to play in advocating against unjust policies that target immigrants, mobilizing support for our neighbors, and protecting our communities. This Action Guide provides a selection of possible ways for committed groups of individuals and congregations to explore how they can stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities and respond to unjust policies.

EU Neighbours Coalition Building Guide – EN

A guidebook for Jewish communities on how to build a coalition.

Cover page for the Building Coaltions for Action PDF.

Centering Women & Girls

HIAS is leveraging its experience, learning, leadership, and commitment to position itself as a global leader in centering women and girls across all programming.

How To: Advocacy Meetings with Members of Congress

Everything you need to know about scheduling and preparing for meetings with your member of Congress.

At Risk and in Need

In this policy brief HIAS examines the serious protection risks that certain groups — women and girls; unaccompanied and separated children; LGBTQ individuals; people with disabilities; and non-Ukrainian refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons — are experiencing.

Cover Image for the report " At Risk and in Need Recommendations To Help The Most Vulnerable People Displaced From Ukraine".

Waiting for the Sky to Close

As part of a partnership with HIAS, VOICE conducted a four-week rapid assessment of Ukraine and five bordering countries to assess the needs of women and girls affected by the war and the needs of WROs and groups responding to the emergency.

Together, we can help create a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

Your gift will help us provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers and advocate for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

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