This video about a HIAS volunteer working with asylum seekers in New York City was produced by volunteers Adrian Carey and Sybile Penhirin.
Immediately following the inauguration on January 20, the Trump administration issued a series of executive orders designed to make sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policy. With refugee resettlement shut down for the foreseeable future, and the U.S.-Mexico border closed to all asylum seekers, there will likely be fewer refugees and asylum seekers arriving in your community.
However, there are still many important ways to you can get involved, both through direct service and through advocacy. Please see our take action page for more information about how you can support refugees, asylees, and immigrants in your community and at the national level.
Please note: There is an upcoming volunteer onboarding for HIAS volunteers in the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas. To learn more and get involved, please attend an informational webinar on February 13 at noon or 6 pm! RSVP here if you live in the New York City area and here if you live in the Washington, D.C. area.
Volunteers play an integral role in HIAS’ efforts to help refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S. and abroad. Whether you are an experienced educator or attorney, have language skills, or are interested in sharing what you love about your community with newcomers, we invite you to learn more about volunteer opportunities near you.
Current Opportunities
HIAS’ global headquarters are located in Silver Spring, MD. HIAS assists over 150 asylum seekers in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with free legal representation. Volunteer opportunities may include various types of mentorship, cultural orientation support, ESL tutoring and English conversation, and interpretation and translation.
Fill out an application to learn more about D.C. area opportunitiesThe HIAS NY Legal and Asylum Volunteer Program aims to provide HIAS clients with holistic, wraparound services by facilitating one-on-one partnerships between our clients and volunteer mentors in the New York tristate area. Volunteer opportunities include various types of mentorship, cultural orientation programming, ESL and English conversation support, interpretation and translation services, and accompaniment opportunities.
Learn more and apply to be a volunteerHIAS works with a network of resettlement partners who provide on-the-ground resettlement and integration services to refugees in communities across the United States.
Volunteer opportunities with the HIAS Resettlement Network may include various types of mentorship, cultural orientation support, ESL tutoring and English conversation, interpretation and translation, serving after school programs, and assisting with special events and projects. Reach out to our resettlement partners to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Find a Resettlement Partner near youAn executive order signed by the incoming Trump administration on January 20, 2025 has suspended new arrivals of refugees, including through the Welcome Corps program. More information is available on our Welcome Corps page.
For the first time in 40 years, groups of ordinary Americans can now engage in direct resettlement work through Welcome Corps, a newly launched governmental program for private sponsorship of refugees. We at HIAS can help you navigate the process as your Private Sponsorship Organization, equipping you to spearhead resettlement for a refugee family in your community. For more information, email PrivateSponsorship@hias.org.
Learn more about Welcome CorpsHIAS’ Pro Bono & Partnerships team engages volunteer attorneys from across the United States to help refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people access vital immigration legal services. In addition to providing pro bono legal support to clients through our offices in the NYC and DC metropolitan areas, the Pro Bono & Partnerships team also works with organizations across the country, including HIAS’ Refugee Resettlement Partners, to identify and meet emerging needs.
Sign up to learn more about our program
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.
