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.

Charlotte Magazine recently published a feature story about a Syrian family who finally found refuge in the United States after a four-year ordeal. The happy ending to a challenging chapter in their life was imperiled by the first executive order, which halted travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and suspended the refugee admissions program.

Melinda Menzer, an English professor at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, swam 9.2 miles in the Tennessee River on Sunday, June 4 to raise money for HIAS.

Former USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez recently penned an op-ed for Reuters firmly opposing President Trump's executive orders banning immigrants and refugees.

“After I lost my vision, there was nothing for me to do in Iraq. There, they don’t believe that a person with a disability is capable of doing anything,” Qusay said. “I can’t tolerate that. I can’t envision myself just sitting at home. My dreams are bigger than that.”

“Refugee status is not merely a stamp on paper; it's a state of mind and heart which forces one to risk it all for better life. We feel affinity and kinship to those in the same plight.”

Nerea, Oliver, and Eduardo have experienced more violence than any child should. In Honduras, they were stalked by MS13, a notorious street gang, and moved into their aunt and uncle’s home in a neighboring city in an effort to escape. But that was just the start.