HIAS Strongly Supports H.E.L.P. Act to Expand Immigration Options for Haitians

Posted on Tue, Feb 09, 2010 at 16:52 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, strongly supports the Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2010 (The H.E.L.P. Act.), introduced on Friday by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY).

The H.E.L.P. Act will increase immigration options for Haitians by temporarily expanding the V non-immigrant visa category to include Haitians with family-sponsored immigrant petitions approved on or before January 12, 2010. These Haitians then could come

Advocacy Groups Urge Improved Immigration Options for Haitians

Posted on Thu, Feb 04, 2010 at 15:32 pm

(Washington, DC) – Immigration advocates today called for the U.S. government to expand its immigration options for Haitians affected by the devastating earthquake in January. At a congressional briefing and press conference sponsored by a wide coalition of faith-based and non-sectarian organizations, activists urged the U.S. to take additional steps to accommodate migrants and potential migrants from Haiti by ensuring access to asylum screenings for those with protection concerns interdicted at sea and by extending humanitarian parole to those waiting

HIAS Deeply Concerned About LGBT Refugees Abroad: Supports Sen. Gillibrand's letter to Secretary of State on ways to safeguard this population

Posted on Thu, Feb 04, 2010 at 14:31 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, is deeply concerned about the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in countries where these individuals are at great risk and afforded inadequate protection by the government. We applaud Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) for forcefully expressing those concerns to Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton in a letter joined by a dozen Senators and 32 Representatives.

According to Gideon Aronoff, President & CEO

After the Earthquake: Haitian Migration & the U.S. response

Posted on Wed, Feb 03, 2010 at 15:56 pm

(Washington, DC) -- Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken several actions to improve U.S. migration for Haitians, including granting temporary protected status to Haitians currently in the U.S., granting humanitarian parole for Haitian orphans, and expedited processing of immigrant visa petitions for Haitians with family members in the U.S. This briefing will explain additional steps that can and should be taken including ensuring access to asylum screenings for interdicted Haitians with protection

HIAS Urges U.S. to Grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in Wake of Disaster

Posted on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 17:16 pm

(New York, NY ) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, strongly urges the U.S. government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians currently in the U.S., in wake of the earthquake that devastated much of Haiti yesterday.

To that end, HIAS, has joined the Refugees Council USA and 24 other refugee agencies in sending a letter today to Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, calling upon

HIAS Launches National Center for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Services: HIAS Engages Local Partnerships Throughout the U.S. to Implement National Advocacy Campaigns

Posted on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 17:13 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, today launched the HIAS National Center for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Services (the "Center"). The Center, which will operate on a national level to assist and engage local organizations and Jewish communities that serve newcomers, is a testament to HIAS’ ongoing commitment to provide essential resettlement services to refugees and immigrants. It was introduced at the HIAS 2010 National Refugee Services Conference, an annual gathering of

HIAS Applauds Mayor Bloomberg's Endorsement of Immigrant Contributions

Posted on Mon, Jan 04, 2010 at 11:01 am

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, strongly applauds the positive remarks about immigrants and immigration made by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in his inaugural address over the weekend.

According to Gideon Aronoff, President & CEO of HIAS: “We at HIAS strongly concur with Mayor Bloomberg that New York City owes its vibrant success to the immigrants who have arrived at its gateways for three centuries. We extend his sentiment to include the entire

Lee Gordon Elected to Board of Directors of HIAS

Posted on Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 14:56 pm

(New York, NY) – Lee Gordon, of Chicago, IL, has been elected to the Board of Directors of HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community. Gordon is a Senior Managing Director of the Investment Advisory Division at Mesirow Financial, a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. In his current position, he assists business owners, families and individuals with integrating financial, tax and corporate plans through customized investment and risk management strategies.

He currently serves on the

HIAS Welcomes New ICE Procedures for Asylum Seekers

Posted on Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 17:19 pm

(New York, NY) – HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, welcomes the new procedures for asylum seekers announced yesterday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to Mark Hetfield, Senior Vice President for Program & Policy, this is “a step in the right direction” toward fair treatment of asylum seekers.

“Many asylum seekers fled their homelands to avoid being jailed on account of their beliefs, only to find that upon arrival in the United States, they were

Gutierrez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill a Great Start, HIAS Says

Posted on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 17:17 pm

(New York, NY) -- HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, commends Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) for his introduction of “Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity” (CIR ASAP) today.

“We applaud Representative Gutierrez for his immigration bill, which helps move the
immigration debate to center stage,” says Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS. “This legislation reflects the principles that have been promoted by HIAS, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently in the