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

HIAS Breathes Sigh Of Relief As Senate Takes First Step To Help Threatened Jewish Seniors

Posted on Wed, Mar 23, 2005 at 13:31 pm

(New York, NY) – The legislative campaign to restore Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for elderly and disabled refugees advanced on Wednesday when the Senate Finance Committee approved a provision in the Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone (PRIDE) Act to provide a two-year extension of benefits.

Under the 1996 welfare reform legislation, refugees, asylees and other humanitarian migrants were provided seven years to become citizens or lose their SSI benefits. Sadly, since 2003, logistical problems, difficulty learning English and

Religious Freedom Report Echoes Longstanding Concerns of HIAS

Posted on Wed, Feb 23, 2005 at 15:36 pm

(New York, NY) – The report of a study by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom touches on several key issues of importance to the Jewish community, represented on immigration and refugee issues by the 124-year-old Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society HIAS.

According to the study, released this week, asylum seekers in the United States are treated poorly and wildly inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and those without legal representation have a far higher likelihood of being denied asylum –

HIAS: REAL ID Act Would Further Restrict Victims of Persecution, Including Jews

Posted on Thu, Jan 27, 2005 at 15:35 pm

(New York, NY) – The bill proposed yesterday by House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) would mean people fleeing religious persecution, including Jews, would have an even more difficult time finding safe haven in America, say officials at HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

“The REAL ID legislation would make it much more difficult for victims of religious and other types of persecution to find safe haven in the United States through the asylum system,” says Gideon Aronoff, vice president

HIAS Young Leaders Strive to Make a Difference

Posted on Fri, Jan 14, 2005 at 16:03 pm

(New York/Vienna) – A city rich with European history, castles and music, yet for some 540 refugees en route to the U.S. through Vienna, their time there can be a living hell. Per Austrian law, those awaiting refugee processing there are not allowed to access publicly funded programs, children cannot attend school, and adults are not permitted to work. Their lives are put on hold as they look ahead with anxiety and frustration not knowing what the future holds.

The normal