A multi-faith group of participants attend a vigil organized by HIAS and local partners in New York, NY on June 15, 2025. (Lindsay Kagalis/HIAS)
Our nation’s commitment to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants has been dramatically dismantled in recent months. Refugee Admissions have been halted leaving tens of thousands stranded, USAID has been dismantled, Temporary Protected Status and Humanitarian Parole for many countries has been terminated, and it is all but impossible to apply for asylum when approaching the U.S. by land.
Moreover, many drawn to the United States for the beacon of freedom we represent now live in fear of being sent to detention arbitrarily or back to danger they fled.
This moment is truly challenging. And yet, there is hope. 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.
Congress is in recess throughout the month of August 2025, and elected officials will be in their home districts. 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. On this page, you can also find talking points on each of our key overarching issues, including the re-opening of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, the reinstatement of U.S. programs delivering foreign aid, and ensuring due process in the U.S. immigration system.
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.
Resources/Toolkits
Calling Your Elected Official: How to call your representative
Calling our elected officials is an effective and relatively easy way to ensure that they hear from us before they take a public stance. If we don’t tell them what is important to us – their constituents – then they will not know our priorities.
Meeting with Your Members of Congress and Other Elected Officials
Summer recess is a good time to meet with your Representatives and Senators while they are back home during August. Typically, Congressional office schedules fill quickly, so you should plan ahead. Learn how to set-up, plan, and carry out an in-person meeting.
Talking Points for Congressional Advocacy: August 2025 Recess
Our nation’s commitment to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants has been dramatically dismantled since January. Learn more about how to talk about what is happening in the United States.
