On his first day in office, President Trump signed executive orders halting refugee resettlement, eviscerating foreign aid, and eliminating many protections for immigrants in the United States and displaced people around the world.
The cumulative impact of these orders is devastating. But while the U.S. government has decided to abandon its long legacy of refugee protection and humanitarian assistance, HIAS never will. For more than 120 years, we have extended a welcoming hand to newcomers to the U.S., gradually expanding our footprint to many countries around the globe, sometimes as the only organization serving vulnerable displaced people.
As Jews, we know what it means to be displaced. And, as the world’s oldest agency dedicated to aiding refugees, HIAS knows it all too well. Jewish history is filled with examples of violence and persecution, moments when we were uprooted from places that we called home. This history is evident in our own families, many of which arrived in this country after being forced out of another. And when these people — in some cases our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and parents — set foot in the United States, HIAS was there to welcome and assist them. Just as we, their descendants, continue to do for the current generation of arrivals today. It is a proud legacy that we will continue to uphold.
The challenges we face are extraordinary and will require HIAS to reimagine our operations, strategically adapt to decrease our reliance on the U.S. government, and prioritize efforts to where we can make our best impact. Much of our work resettling refugees is now on hold, and our global reach will lessen. We have had to downsize and to part ways with many valued colleagues. But those of us who remain will not waver from our determination to provide essential services to displaced people around the world. The need for our work has never been clearer or more urgent — and we are rising to the occasion.
The need for our work has never been clearer or more urgent — and we are rising to the occasion.
In response to the Trump administration’s actions, HIAS joined two lawsuits. Pacito v. Trump is the most robust defense of the refugee resettlement program currently before the courts, and Global Health Council v. Trump is effectively contesting the suspension of foreign assistance. We are speaking out about executive orders and mobilizing the Jewish community to advocate for policies that protect people fleeing persecution. And we continue to legally provide essential services to our clients in the U.S. and around the world despite having fewer resources. We are fighting for the safety and rights of refugees, in every way that we can.
No matter what challenges HIAS faces, we will never avert our eyes from the core of our mission: the people we serve. We know that in this moment, our values and our mission are particularly critical, and that the extraordinary generosity of our donors is what will enable our ability to carry it out. A dollar for HIAS today will go further than it ever has.
