Proposed Fee Increase a Barrier to Citizenship

Posted on Fri, Feb 02, 2007 at 11:50 am

(Washington, D.C.)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is concerned about the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) proposed increase in the application fee for citizenship. Under the proposal, citizenship application fees would be increased from $400 to $675, an increase of 69%. Other immigration filing fees would be increased by an average of 66%. Fees for a family of four hoping to naturalize would be prohibitive.

“At a time when the President has made immigration one of

“My Heroes” - HIAS Announces Theme for ’07 Poster Contest

Posted on Wed, Jan 31, 2007 at 11:54 am

(New York City)– Who are your heroes? Why do you admire them? These are questions that young immigrants from around the country are asked to answer artistically in the 2007 Poster Contest for Immigrant Youth.

This year marks the 13th year that HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - has sponsored the contest as a way to keep its legacy of rescue and resettlement alive in the minds of its youngest beneficiaries.

“Many immigrants, when asked why they chose

Ahead of Tuesday Senate Judiciary Hearing, American Jewish Community Pleas: Help Iraqi Christians

Posted on Fri, Jan 12, 2007 at 11:57 am

Parallels to Jewish History Seen

(Washington, D.C.)– In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, 36 prominent national and local Jewish organizations urged the United States to do more to help rescue Christians and other religious minorities fleeing Iraq.

The letter to Secretary Rice, which was spearheaded by HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, asserts that “the American Jewish community owes its existence to the welcome which first generation Jewish-Americans received here after fleeing religious persecution. Our own history, combined

HIAS Names New VP for Membership and Development

Posted on Thu, Jan 04, 2007 at 12:28 pm

(New York City)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, has selected a seasoned fundraising professional with extensive experience in the Jewish community as its vice president for membership and development.

“We are delighted to have Susan Milamed join the HIAS team,” says Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS. “Her background in fundraising as well as her experience in the Jewish community, make us very optimistic that we will be able to reach new goals as we face an ever-changing, uncertain

Boston Technology Investment Firm CEO is First Vice Chair of HIAS Board

Posted on Thu, Jan 04, 2007 at 12:18 pm

(New York City)– Michael Rukin, who serves as CEO of Concord Hill Group Trust, a technology investment firm based in Boston, has been named first vice chair of the board of directors of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. With offices on five of the world’s continents and headquartered in New York City, HIAS has helped to rescue and resettle more than 4.5 million refugees since it began operations in 1881.

The first vice chairmanship of the board at HIAS is

HIAS: Virginia Congressman’s Letter an Attack on American Values

Posted on Thu, Dec 28, 2006 at 12:28 pm

(New York City)– Officials at HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, are alarmed and outraged by Rep. Virgil Goode’s (R-Va.) recent remarks regarding Rep.-elect Keith Ellison’s (D-Minn.) desire to use the Koran at his private swearing-in ceremony. In a constituent letter, Rep. Goode cited Rep. Ellison’s choice to be sworn in with the Koran as an example why America should restrict immigration.

“Despite the fact that Congressman Ellison is a native-born American citizen who was raised Catholic and later converted

HIAS Announces 2007 Scholarship Competition

Posted on Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 12:31 pm

Application Deadline is March 15, 2007
(New York)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, invites students to apply for its 2007 Scholarship Awards Competition. HIAS-assisted refugees who immigrated to the United States after Jan. 1, 1992 are eligible to apply.

“A HIAS scholarship recognizes your achievements and inspires you to reach your dreams,” says Alla Paskovaty, a former recipient. “Receiving this scholarship for me was so special, because it recognized my achievements as a member of this special group – Jewish

America's Oldest Immigrant Rescue and Resettlement Agency Turns 125

Posted on Wed, Nov 01, 2006 at 12:59 pm

(New York City )– On Nov. 27, HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, turned 125. HIAS was founded in 1881, the year of the Russian pogroms and also the first year of the Jewish mass emigration from Eastern Europe.

“For 125 years, we have 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 the essential principle of Pidyyon Shevuyim (redeem the

NASA Scientist, Immigration Lawyer named to HIAS Board

Posted on Mon, Oct 30, 2006 at 13:04 pm

(New York City)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, has named two new members to its board of directors: Genia Brin, of Hyattsville, Md., who is a scientist at NASA, and Suzette Brooks Masters, an immigration lawyer who practices in New York. At 125, HIAS is America’s oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency, helping facilitate the safe passage, humanitarian needs and legal documentation for refugees.

“We are delighted to have these two remarkable individuals join the HIAS Board of

New Immigrant Guide to New York – researched, written and designed by Young Immigrants

Posted on Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 13:20 pm

A Special Party to be Held Nov. 9

(New York City)- Last year, when Norman Rabinovich discovered his connection to HIAS – the agency that had helped his family migrate to America from Latvia in 1981, when he was only 3 and a half – he knew he had to become involved with the venerable, 125-year-old organization.

The graphic designer, who now lives in the East Village, contributed his design skills to the NYC Immigrant Guide 2006/7 – a book