Advocacy Toolkit 

In the past year, our nation’s programs to welcome refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants have been dramatically dismantled. Refugee admissions have been largely halted leaving hundreds of thousands of people stranded, USAID has been shut down, Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian Parole for many countries has been terminated, and it is all but impossible to for asylum seekers to even approach the border and ask for protection, let alone receive a fair hearing of their case. Moreover, immigrants all over the United States now live in fear of being apprehended, sent to detention, and deported, all without access to due process. 

The second year of the Trump administration is here. The challenges haven’t diminished. But neither has our commitment — or yours. The United States is still a democracy, and its citizens have the right to vote, to put our values into action, and to hold our elected officials accountable as they do their jobs representing the priorities of their constituents in the governance of our country. 

We encourage you to use these resources to set up in-district meetings – or as guides for calling your elected officials to advocate for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, people without lawful status and all those who have sought safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives here in the United States. 

Our most sacred Jewish texts, which recount our community’s history of persecution and migration, emphasize the importance of treating newcomers with kindness. In a moment when violent rhetoric against immigrants, Jews, and other populations is being used as a political tool, we know that the safety of all communities is intertwined and that our futures are connected. We were welcomed, we welcome others, and we will always stand for welcome. 

Please reach out to takeaction@hias.org to set up a consultation if you need further support. Once you have completed calls and/or meetings, please fill out this quick form to share details of calls or meetings.  

Action Alert from Refugee Council USA (RCUSA)

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is a coalition of over 40 organizations that “mobilizes expertise, ideas, and influence to protect the rights of forcibly displaced people and build more welcoming societies.” HIAS is an active member in the coalition, regularly participating in advocacy, program strategy, and leadership-level coalition activities.