Advocate for Refugee Rights

Advocacy is fundamental to our work, and with the Jewish community beside us we stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.

Plaintiffs of a court case stand in front of the court.

HIAS supporters gather outside a courthouse in Seattle to celebrate the court ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The decision came in the lawsuit Pacito vs. Trump, in which HIAS was a plaintiff, alongside several other resettlement agencies and individuals directly impacted by the suspension. February 25, 2025 (Zhanna Veyts/HIAS).

Overview

HIAS’ advocacy work in the United States and around the world is guided by over a century of expertise in assisting forcibly displaced people. We advocate for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people, regardless of their national, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. HIAS works to protect and advance fair and humane refugee and asylum policies.

800+

congregations have taken action for forcibly displaced people with HIAS.

Strategies

HIAS works to uphold and expand the rights and protections of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people around the world.

Our strategies include:

  • Advocating for fair and humane refugee and asylum policies in the U.S. and around the world.

  • Leading the Jewish movement for refugees and asylum seekers. We educate, organize, and mobilize American Jews to put their values into action and fight for refugees.

  • Working with grassroots advocates, opinion leaders, legislators, and policymakers to protect and advance policies that promote fair and humane asylum laws, refugee resettlement, and integration.

  • Fueling the Jewish response to this global crisis by equipping clergy, leadership, congregations, and individuals with the tools and ideas to fight for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers locally and hold elected officials accountable.

  • Leading refugee policy and working in Washington, D.C., to expand the rights and protections of all displaced people.

Countries

Greece
Israeli flag
Israel
Kenya
Mexico Flag
Mexico
Panama
South Africa
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States

Impact

A rabbi stands at the border wall between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez during a border delegation with HIAS and T’ruah on December 12, 2022. (Justin Hamel for HIAS)

Jewish Clergy Stand Against Scapegoating and Targeting

The American Jewish community has long affirmed its commitment to standing up for the rights and dignity of those seeking safety in our country. In response to the Trump administration’s draconian policy changes related to immigration, more than 600 Jewish clergy from across the country have signed a letter expressing their concern over our country’s horrific treatment of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Read More

Resources

Action Guide for Congregations and Communities

People and communities of faith have a unique, powerful, and morally resonant role to play in advocating against unjust policies that target immigrants, mobilizing support for our neighbors, and protecting our communities. This Action Guide provides a selection of possible ways for committed groups of individuals and congregations to explore how they can stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities and respond to unjust policies.

Download Guide

EU Neighbours Coalition Building Guide – EN

A guidebook for Jewish communities on how to build a coalition.

Download Guide
Cover page for the Building Coaltions for Action PDF.

Centering Women & Girls

HIAS is leveraging its experience, learning, leadership, and commitment to position itself as a global leader in centering women and girls across all programming.

Download fact sheet

How To: Advocacy Meetings with Members of Congress

Everything you need to know about scheduling and preparing for meetings with your member of Congress.

Read the guide to learn more

At Risk and in Need

In this policy brief HIAS examines the serious protection risks that certain groups — women and girls; unaccompanied and separated children; LGBTQ individuals; people with disabilities; and non-Ukrainian refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons — are experiencing.

Learn More
Cover Image for the report " At Risk and in Need Recommendations To Help The Most Vulnerable People Displaced From Ukraine".

Waiting for the Sky to Close

As part of a partnership with HIAS, VOICE conducted a four-week rapid assessment of Ukraine and five bordering countries to assess the needs of women and girls affected by the war and the needs of WROs and groups responding to the emergency.

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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.

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