HIAS Calls for CNN to Fire Lou Dobbs After Comparisons to Nazis

Posted on Fri, Apr 27, 2007 at 11:01 am

(New York City)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which has helped more than 4.5 million people in its 125-year history, is calling for the dismissal of Lou Dobbs, the CNN personality, who on Monday suggested that immigrant rights groups use propaganda tactics reminiscent of the Third Reich.

“Comparisons to Nazis – especially in this day and age – are abhorrent,” said Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS. “Mr. Dobbs has crossed the line between responsible television commentary and

Letter from the CEO

Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2007 at 11:06 am

by Gideon Aronoff, HIAS President and CEO

In 2006 we celebrated our quasquicentennial this year – that’s 125 years of rescue, resettlement, and reunion. One hundred and twenty-five is a remarkable milestone for any organization, but for HIAS and the American Jewish community, it is an accomplishment of which to be immensely proud.

We derived our mission from the teaching Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze ba Ze (all Jews are responsible, one for the other), the Torah’s injunction to welcome the stranger and

HIAS: Strive Act a Real Step Toward Achieving Sensible Immigration Reform

Posted on Tue, Apr 17, 2007 at 11:09 am

(Washington, D.C.)- Today, HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - praises and thanks Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) for their efforts to come up with a workable, sensible, and humane immigration reform plan that lives up to America's tradition as a welcoming nation.

The STRIVE Act of 2007, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Flake and Gutierrez, combines the promise of legal status for people who have a record of contributing to the nation's economy and communities,

Argentina and other South American countries opening their doors to refugees

Posted on Mon, Apr 16, 2007 at 11:10 am

Source: UNHCR

(Buenos Aires, Argentina)– Mauricio* smiles as his young daughter plays with a cuddly toy in their small, cosy apartment in Buenos Aires. His wife Liliana* tells visitors excitedly about her hopes of working in a beauty salon. Only a small map of Colombia in a corner of the room hints at the suffering that Mauricio, Liliana and their three children have been through to get here.

The family are among a number of Colombians who are being resettled in third

HIAS: America needs sound policy, not politicking, to fix immigration system

Posted on Fri, Apr 13, 2007 at 11:23 am

(Washington, D.C.)– Responding to the Bush administration’s recent immigration proposal, HIAS – the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society – expressed disappointment that the administration has backed away from its 2006 plan and instead has offered a proposal that undermines the possibility of workable, fair and humane immigration reform.

“While we are encouraged by President Bush’s continued interest in getting a bill done this year, as evidenced by his speech earlier this week in Yuma, Ariz., the White House proposal is not consistent

Passover's lessons for U.S. immigration policies

Posted on Fri, Apr 06, 2007 at 11:27 am

by Gideon Aronoff
Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)

The recent immigration raids in New Bedford, Mass., where nearly 200 children were left stranded when their parents, who otherwise were lawful workers, were arrested and shipped off to detention centers in Texas and other distant states reinforce the essential failure of America's immigration policies.

With the introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 22 of the bipartisan STRIVE Act – Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy – Congress again is

As the Debate Re-ignites, Prominent Jewish Leaders Urge Congress to Pass Fair and Workable Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Posted on Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 11:30 am

(Washington, D.C.)– More than 30 prominent leaders in the American Jewish community sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass fair and workable immigration reform, and to conduct the debate in a respectful and civil manner that will counter anti-immigrant bigotry.

The letter, spearheaded by HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was signed by David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee; Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League; and Howard Rieger, president and CEO of United

We Urge Congress and the White House: Do Not Deny Refuge to Victims of Terrorism

Posted on Fri, Mar 09, 2007 at 11:37 am

Statement from Gideon Aronoff, President and CEO,
HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

In an absurd twist, America’s anti-terrorism laws are now being used to deny protection to refugees fleeing some of the most brutal regimes and violent conflicts on earth.

While measures to prevent terrorists from being supported, and to keep their supporters out, are critically important, the American government is using the material support provision to exclude victims of terrorism – including those whose very struggle to be free now

HIAS Supports Citizenship Promotion Act

Posted on Wed, Mar 07, 2007 at 11:39 am

(Washington, D.C.)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, strongly supports “The Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007,” introduced today by Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.). This important legislation seeks to assist immigrants in becoming citizens, to promote citizenship opportunities and to remove barriers to naturalization. This legislation will enable immigrants to embrace American life in the fullest possible way.

“Immigrants are facing a nearly $300 naturalization fee increase proposed recently by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration

Religious Freedom Report Two Years On: HIAS Concerned at Inaction on Recommendations

Posted on Thu, Feb 08, 2007 at 11:42 am

Asylum-seekers at most risk

(New York City)– The “report card” on the government’s progress in implementing recommendations from a 2005 study on asylum seekers in expedited removal is not something the Department of Homeland Security will be proud of. The report, which points to inaction on the part of the DHS, has officials at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the organized Jewish community’s immigration agency, concerned that worthy asylum-seekers will suffer the most.

According to the report released today in Washington