HIAS Scores High on Forward 50 List

Posted on Mon, Nov 01, 2010 at 16:17 pm

(New York, NY) – If ever there was doubt about the contributions of immigrants to this country, this year’s Forward 50 dispels that. Each year, the Forward newspaper lists “men and women who have made a significant impact on the Jewish story in a Jewish way.” This year’s list includes four HIAS ex-clients, three from the Former Soviet Union. And since, there is hardly a Jewish family in the U.S., which has not been touched by HIAS, no doubt

HIAS Applauds Menendez Immigration Bill

Posted on Sun, Oct 03, 2010 at 12:53 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, applauds Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for the introduction late last week of a sensible bill to provide a comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system.

“The bill would require undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English on their way to becoming U.S. citizens,” says Melanie Nezer, HIAS’ Senior Director for U.S. Policy and Advocacy. The bill would

HIAS Disappointed with Senate's Failure to Vote on DREAM Act

Posted on Tue, Sep 21, 2010 at 16:39 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, is disappointed at the Senate’s failure to gather the votes needed to move forward on the DREAM Act, a bipartisan proposal that is a sensible and humane response to the needs of vulnerable young immigrant students and the communities in which they live.

According to Melanie Nezer, HIAS’ Senior Director for U.S. Policy and Advocacy, many of the 50,000-65,000 undocumented students who graduate from American high schools

HIAS Receives Major Recognition from U.S. Government: Commendation for work and $450,000 grant for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Posted on Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 12:04 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, received two major recognitions from the U.S. government in as many days.

Yesterday, the agency received the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Director’s Award for Effective Interagency Cooperation. The award recognizes HIAS’ contributions to the Israeli government’s refugee status determination program (RSD). Receiving the award simultaneously were the Israeli Government’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),

HIAS to Receive Federal Grant for Citizenship Education Program: $450,000 Awarded from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Posted on Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:45 am

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, has been selected to receive a grant totaling $450,000 as part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced that 75 organizations from 27 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to receive a total of $7.8 million in grants to promote citizenship education and immigrant integration in communities across the

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Gives Prestigious Partnership Award to HIAS: For collaborative efforts with USCIS and the Israeli Ministry of the Interior in building an Israeli asylum system

Posted on Thu, Sep 16, 2010 at 13:52 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, today received the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Director’s Award for Effective Interagency Cooperation. The award recognizes HIAS’ contributions to the Israeli government’s refugee status determination program (RSD). Receiving the award simultaneously were the Israeli Government’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the U.S. Department of State.

In presenting the award to HIAS, USCIS Director

HIAS Urges Congress and Administration Not to Cut Off Elderly and Disabled Refugees from SSI: Exhorts Congress to renew benefit extension

Posted on Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 10:09 am

(Washington, D.C) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, calls on Congress and the Administration to enact legislation immediately that extends assistance for up to 3,800 elderly and disabled refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian immigrants in the United States who are dependent on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to pay for food and shelter. Many of them are Jewish and HIAS clients from the former Soviet Union, Iran and other countries. The current two-year extension of SSI

HIAS Releases Statement in Response to Ruling by Federal Judge on Controversial Arizona Immigration Law

Posted on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 16:31 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish Community, issued the following statement from President and CEO Gideon Aronoff in response to U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton's ruling today on Arizona's SB 1070:

"We commend Judge Bolton for calling into question the constitutionality of Arizona's ill-conceived immigration law. The law would cause all Arizonans to live under a cloud of suspicion and fear and lead to immigrant distrust of the police.

"While today’s news is encouraging, we

HIAS Poster Contest Now on View at Ellis Island: Art of immigrant youth on display for first time at national monument

Posted on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 14:48 pm

(New York, NY) – For the first time, HIAS’ annual Poster Contest for Immigrant Youth is on display at Ellis Island, part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Ellis Island was the nation’s premiere federal immigration station and is now a museum of immigration. Since 1995, HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, has sponsored an annual immigrant art poster contest. Winning posters from the 2009 annual contest will be on display on the main floor

Marc Silberberg Elected Chairman of HIAS

Posted on Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 15:59 pm

(New York, NY) –  Marc Silberberg, of New York City, recently was elected Chairman of the Board of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, at a board meeting held at Ellis Island. The meeting was held at the national monument dedicated to the history of American immigration to honor the organization’s nearly 130-year history and the importance of HIAS' role in helping refugees and immigrants in the United States and elsewhere.

Upon becoming HIAS’ Chairman, Silberberg said:

“As we approach