HIAS in the News
Array of Jewish groups urges faster path to citizenship
Posted on Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 10:48 am
The JTA covered a recent letter that was sent to President Obama and Congress and called for an overhaul of "our nation's broken immigration system." One hundred Jewish organizations and leaders -- including 19 national Jewish organizations -- signed onto the letter, which was drafted and circulated by HIAS.
Congress Extends Lautenberg Amendment
Posted on Fri, Mar 22, 2013 at 9:57 am
The Lautenberg Amendment, which facilitates the exit from Iran of members of the Jewish, Christian and Baha'i minorities, was included in the continuing resolution approved by Congress this week. HIAS states in this JTA article that “as we prepare to celebrate Passover, we are thankful for Congress’ continuing commitment to protecting Jews, Christians, Baha’is, and other persecuted religious minorities in Iran."
Exodus: Passover and the Themes of Refuge and Immigration
Posted on Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:34 pm
Since 2004, the Lautenberg Amendment has helped over 40,000 religious minorities flee persecution in Iran. HIAS has assisted thousands in this process, including many Jews, who faced dangerous journeys and obstacles along the way. The Baltimore Jewish Times recently profiled several refugees who benefitted firsthand from the Lautenberg Amendment and spoke with staff from HIAS’ affiliate organization in Baltimore. The article also highlighted a meeting that HIAS participated in with President Obama regarding immigration reform during which
A Stranger in a Strange Land
Posted on Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:28 pm
In an article recently posted by the Baltimore Jewish Times, HIAS President and CEO, Mark Hetfield explains that although refugees and immigrants have different reasons for leaving their home countries, the obstacles and opportunities they often face upon arrival in the United States are very similar. The Times article profiles two Jewish families who fled Peru and resettled in Baltimore.
President Obama Extends Deferred Enforced Departure for Liberians
Posted on Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 11:40 am
Last week, President Obama announced the extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status for Liberians living in the United States. HIAS' DC office was among the organizations that worked to secure this lifeline for Liberians who have fled violence but have not yet attained permanent U.S. residency.HIAS Pennsylvania, another key advocate, reported on this development.
Lautenberg Amendment, Soviet-era law now helping Iranians, gets lifeline
Posted on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 10:54 am
Check out this JTA article on the inclusion of the Lautenberg Amendment in a continuing resolution passed by the House on March 6. The amendment provides a lifeline for Jews, Christians, Baha'is, and other religious minorities fleeing Iran, and was in danger of being eliminated due to the sequester cuts.
Obama pushes expedited timetable on immigration reform in meeting with faith leaders
Posted on Fri, Mar 08, 2013 at 16:36 pm
Earlier today President Obama met with 14 faith leaders—of whom HIAS' Mark Hetfield was one—to discuss comprehensive immigration reform. During the White House meeting, he reiterated that CIR is a priority for his administration and emphasized his goal of seeing a bill on immigration reform in the next 60 days. The meeting was covered by CNN, the Washington Times, Politico, Talk Radio News Service, RTTNews, Latinos Post, and
Iranian Jews honor local Jewish nonprofits, HIAS
Posted on Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 17:32 pm
JewishJournal.com just posted an article about a recent event in Los Angeles that honored four Jewish organizations—HIAS, Jewish Vocational Service, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, and Jewish Free Loan Assocation—that helped Iranian Jews resettle in Los Angeles. The event was sponsored by the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation (whose president, Sharon Nazarian, is on the HIAS board) and the Iranian American Jewish Federation.
NJ native leads HIAS into ‘Leviticus’ era
Posted on Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 11:51 am
Mark Hetfield and HIAS were profiled in this New Jersey Jewish News article, which discusses Mark's recent appointment as President & CEO of HIAS, his experience with—and vision for—the organization, and why the Jewish community should care about immigration reform.
Immigration returns to communal agenda
Posted on Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 11:45 am
This article in the New Jersey Jewish News highlights a shift in public discourse within the Jewish community as immigration reform moved front-and-center in the recent presidential campaign and, more recently, was addressed by President Obama in his State of the Union on Tuesday.
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