Topic: U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Jun 27, 2023

In 2014, Robert fled anti-LGBTQ persecution in Uganda, eventually settling in Philadelphia with the assistance of HIAS affiliate HIAS Pennsylvania. Today, as new anti-LGBTQ legislation looms large in Uganda, he has built a new life for himself — and community for LGBTQ refugees in Philadelphia.

May 24, 2023

In mid-May, over 300 activist leaders from across California convened at JPAC Capitol Summit to advocate on issues of concern to their communities. Extending case management for refugees, a goal aligned with Jewish history and values, was one of the summit’s major priorities.

Apr 27, 2023

In preparation for May 11, when the Biden Administration will finally end the Trump administration’s policy of expelling asylum seekers under the pretext of a public health measure known as Title 42, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State today announced what they described as “regional migration management measures.”

Mar 23, 2023

The number of HIAS Welcome Circles in the United States has just reached 100. And there are more to come.  HIAS Welcome Circles are part of the private sponsorship model that allows for groups of individuals to independently raise funds and directly provide essential assistance to refugees.

Mar 13, 2023

HIAS welcomes today’s announcement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend the humanitarian parole status of some 20,000 Ukrainians who arrived at U.S. ports of entry between February 24, 2022 and April 25, 2022, before the launch of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program.

Feb 1, 2023

The Biden administration’s new Welcome Corps initiative represents a breakthrough in advancing private refugee sponsorship in the United States — but is by no means the first program of its kind in North America. The American initiative, according to HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield, in fact drew inspiration from a similar program in Canada.  

Jan 20, 2023

In an appearance on “CNN Newsroom” on Friday morning, HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield praised the Welcome Corps, a new Biden administration initiative that allows Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world. The initiative resembles what HIAS has been doing through its own Welcome Circles, starting with Afghan evacuees in 2021.

Jan 19, 2023

Welcome Corps, the first U.S. government program supporting private refugee sponsorship in nearly 40 years, will allow Americans to privately sponsor refugees from around the world.

Jan 5, 2023

HIAS assailed President Biden’s deeply flawed and outrageously inequitable plan to expand Title 42 border expulsions of asylum seekers and allow up to 30,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua who have sponsors in the U.S. to enter the country temporarily as humanitarian parolees – but only if they fly to U.S. airports.