HIAS Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Melanie Nezer shares an urgently needed historical perspective on the crisis at the southern U.S. border.

After reading a children's book about a family of mice who are forced to leave their home, 4 ½ year old Liv Bridges-Limon, asked if the same thing ever happens to people. Her father Bryan explained that refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people sometimes receive help from others, which gave Liv an idea.

I was invited as a representative of HIAS to the Vatical to speak at an interfaith conference on how organizations respond, cooperate, and advocate in support of refugees. And I met the Pope.

The varied kinds of support that HIAS has received show the best in human nature.

The Kolber brothers tell their family story from escaping the Nazis to refugee life in Shanghai and to the U.S., with help from HIAS.

Public figures went public on social media in support of HIAS.

Though her education was interrupted several times as she sought safety, Benicya received her diploma from the Manhattan Comprehensive Night & Day High School on Tuesday, June 26. Read as she describes her journey in her own words.

“My family was helped by HIAS and other organizations like it. My grandparents worked hard, my parents worked hard, and now I just want to do what I can to make sure others have that same chance.”

Daulat Sthanki arrived in New Orleans in November 1972 with a single bag. Uganda’s loss would ultimately be Louisiana’s, and America’s, gain.

Hearing of their experiences brought home the many reasons we have to be truly thankful; for our freedoms, for our opportunities, for the comforts we enjoy.