Whether by authorizing ICE raids across the country to sweep up immigrants, shutting down the refugee resettlement program, sealing the border to asylum seekers, or establishing a travel ban that discriminates based on nationality, the Trump administration has focused on terrorizing immigrant communities since its first day in office.
The ongoing enforcement actions in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, and across the country are part of a larger pattern of intimidation and flouting of due process that serve the administration’s draconian immigration policies.
History has taught us the deadly consequences of such actions. In a moment when refugee and immigrant communities are under attack, fighting back takes each and every one of us. Here are seven ways you can take action for immigrants:
Give today
As the world's oldest refugee agency, HIAS will always stand for refugees — no matter who is president. And we will do all we can to support our clients, every day, as we have for more than 120 years. Give with confidence to HIAS.
Tell Congress to rein in ICE
After the violence in Minnesota and across the country, the tables are turning. Last year, Congress gave DHS an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement to dramatically increase their capacity to target, detain, and deport immigrants across the country.
Now, masked federal agents are dragging people from their cars, zip-tying children, firing tear gas at high schoolers, and harming peaceful observers and protestors. This does not make the United States safer; it only creates an atmosphere of fear and violence. We need you to keep up the pressure on Congress to rein in ICE.
Accompany individuals to deportation hearings, ICE check-ins, and other appointments
As more cities are impacted by sweeping deportation efforts, local organizations are building and strengthening accompaniment programs to support people interfacing with the immigration system who fear a lack of due process. Accompaniment involves supporting immigrants at hearings, ICE check-ins, and other legal appointments—providing companionship and bearing witness to individuals as they navigate systems and processes that are now even more complicated and frightening.
HIAS is working with partners to map and elevate accompaniment programs in which the broader Jewish-American community is already engaged and to share knowledge and resources. We have seen firsthand the real human impact it can have when responding to the extrajudicial detention and deportation of our immigrant neighbors.
Learn more about accompaniment.
Volunteer
HIAS offers volunteer opportunities to support asylum seekers and other humanitarian migrants living in the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas. Volunteers are matched with HIAS legal program participants to provide English language instruction or support, job coaching, mentorship, assistance with community navigation, and interpretation/translation. Opportunities also exist to support asylum seekers indirectly through research projects, donation drives, and the development of resource guides.
Learn more about volunteering.
Familiarize yourself with “Know Your Rights” resources
You can support immigrants in your workplace, your school, and on your block by being aware of the legal rights of immigrants and helping to educate others. Suggested resources can be found at the Immigration Resources Hub and the National Bail Fund Network.
Help others access legal support
You can refer potentially impacted individuals to known immigration legal service providers.
If you are a lawyer, join a pro bono program to support immigrants and receive guidance and mentorship. HIAS’ Pro Bono and Partnerships team engages volunteer attorneys from across the United States to help refugees, asylum seekers, and other displaced people access vital immigration legal services.
Learn about HIAS’ pro-bono program.
Join a Rapid Response network
Local immigration organizations and interfaith coalitions may be able to connect you to rapid response networks to help support immigrants in your community. Look for local opportunities.
Support organizations that help refugees
When you make a donation to HIAS or other organizations that work with refugees and immigrants, you profoundly influence our ability to help people in a very challenging and vulnerable time. We will not stop working and fighting for the people that we serve, and we are grateful to our partners and donors for supporting our efforts.
Make a gift today.
*Originally published on June 16, 2025. Updated February 11, 2026.
We Make Us Safe: What I Saw in Minnesota
Read MoreGive today
As the world's oldest refugee agency, HIAS will always stand for refugees — no matter who is president. And we will do all we can to support our clients, every day, as we have for more than 120 years. Give with confidence to HIAS.
