HIAS Launches Campaign to Preserve Immigrant Arrival Records

Posted on Wed, Dec 14, 2005 at 10:20 am

Phase I of massive project will cover largest Russian wave, 1960s-2000s

(New York City) – HIAS, Inc., the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, has begun a massive undertaking to digitally preserve millions of case files in its archives. The campaign to raise funds for the first phase of the project will be led by Genia Brin, a scientist working with NASA who, along with her family, was resettled in the United States with the assistance of HIAS.

The HIAS

HIAS Decries Anti-Immigrant House Legislation

Posted on Mon, Dec 12, 2005 at 9:58 am

(New York City) – Refugee and immigration advocates are alarmed that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected this Wednesday to consider legislation that would make far-reaching changes to the United States immigration system, severely affecting both immigrants and asylum seekers.

“At a time when our country badly needs comprehensive reform of our immigration laws to address the problem of undocumented migration, the House appears to be heading towards a counterproductive “enforcement-only” approach to immigration and border security,” says

HIAS, Joined by Elie Wiesel, and National Interfaith Coalition, Call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Posted on Fri, Oct 14, 2005 at 9:46 am

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and a coalition of Jewish and other faith organizations and leaders from across the religious and political spectrum issued an “Interfaith Statement in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.”

With immigration reform and undocumented migration hot-button issues in Washington and around the United States, the faith community is calling on government leaders in the Administration and Congress, to come together in a bipartisan manner to address this pressing national problem.

The figures are in: HIAS Helped 2,170 Refugees Resettle In The USA In FY ’05

Posted on Tue, Oct 11, 2005 at 9:32 am

(New York, NY) – Of the 70,000 refugees targeted for admission into the United States for fiscal year 2005 (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) 53,370 actually arrived, according to U.S. State Department figures. HIAS – the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society – assisted 2,170 of those refugees with their migration to the United States.

“We applaud the Bush administration for its efforts to provide these refugees with safe haven in the United States and urge the administration to admit even more in

Updated Edition Now Available: Handbook Paves Russian-Speaking Community’s “Road to Success”

Posted on Fri, Sep 16, 2005 at 9:30 am

(New York, NY) – An informative book tailored specifically for Russian-speaking Americans entitled, The Road to Success: A Community Leadership Handbook, has been updated and is now available through LOREO, Local Russian-speaking Émigré Organizations, a project of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Funding for the book came from a grant made to LOREO by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The book both guides and encourages Russian-speaking refugees who

HIAS Katrina Disaster Response

Posted on Fri, Sep 02, 2005 at 9:24 am

(New York, NY) – Officials at HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, are part of the growing national response to Hurricane Katrina. Neil Greenbaum, president and CEO of HIAS said, “We are deeply saddened by the grave and tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Our long history of rescuing people in peril around the world makes it particularly distressing to see this tragedy unfolding on our doorstep.”

HIAS’ mission is to help refugees and displaced persons. The organization resettles refugees and other

HIAS Initiative Will Help Traumatized Sudanese Refugees in Chad

Posted on Wed, Aug 31, 2005 at 15:37 pm

(New York, NY) – Because of a shared concern for the plight of Sudanese refugees in Chad, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and the Israel Forum for Humanitarian Aid (IsraAid) have launched the Initiative for Sudanese Refugees in Chad.

“With HIAS operating in the Chad refugee camps, the Initiative creates an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate the Jewish commitment to assisting all people fleeing persecution and is being well received by the international community,” says Eric Newman, director of international operations

Commemorating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America, Nation's Jewish Organizations Release Vision on Immigration and Refugee Policy

Posted on Tue, Jul 05, 2005 at 13:38 pm

(New York, NY) – The Jewish Vision for the Future of American Immigration and Refugee Policy is being released this month as part of the 350th anniversary of Jewish presence in America. Since 1654, Jews have been part of American life facing both welcome and rejection. While the first Jews – 23 intrepid immigrants from Brazil – faced deportation by the government of New Amsterdam, millions have been rescued from persecution and offered the chance for a new life of

HIAS Seeking "Ambassadors" in DC Area

Posted on Wed, Apr 27, 2005 at 13:32 pm

(Washington, D.C.) – HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is forming a Washington, D.C. area chapter of the “HIAS Ambassadors,” a group of volunteers aged 50 and over who will meet occasionally to discuss issues affecting HIAS’ work around the world. An Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the HIAS Washington D.C. Office, 2020 K St., NW, Suite 7700.

“In recent years as we’ve traveled around the country, we’ve noticed a strong interest

Interfaith Coalition of Faith-based Leaders Release Report Expressing Opposition to the REAL ID Act

Posted on Mon, Apr 11, 2005 at 13:32 pm

(Washington, D.C.) – An interfaith coalition of prominent faith-based leaders announce the release of the report Faithful but Forsaken: REAL ID Act Harms Victims of Religious Persecution at a news conference Tuesday, April 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room G-11. Each of these traditions, having witnessed the suffering of persons whose beliefs often place their lives in jeopardy, come together to express strong opposition to the refugee-related provisions of the REAL ID Act currently under