Advocate for Refugee Rights

Advocacy is fundamental to our work, and with the Jewish community beside us, we stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.

HIAS supporters gather outside a courthouse in Seattle to celebrate the court ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The decision came in the lawsuit Pacito vs. Trump, in which HIAS was a plaintiff, alongside several other resettlement agencies and individuals directly impacted by the suspension. February 25, 2025 (Zhanna Veyts/HIAS).

Overview

HIAS’ advocacy work in the United States and around the world is guided by over a century of expertise in assisting forcibly displaced people. We advocate for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people, regardless of their national, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. HIAS Foundation supports HIAS’ work to protect and advance fair and humane refugee and asylum policies.

Countries

Greece
Israel
Kenya
Mexico
Panama
South Africa
Ukraine
United States
United Kingdom

Strategies

HIAS Foundation supports HIAS' work to uphold and expand the rights and protections of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people around the world.

Our strategies include:

  • Advocating for fair and humane refugee and asylum policies in the U.S. and around the world.

  • Leading the Jewish movement for refugees and asylum seekers. We educate, organize, and mobilize American Jews to put their values into action and fight for refugees.

  • Working with grassroots advocates, opinion leaders, legislators, and policymakers to protect and advance policies that promote fair and humane asylum laws, refugee resettlement, and integration.

  • Fueling the Jewish response to this global crisis by equipping clergy, leadership, congregations, and individuals with the tools and ideas to fight for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers locally and hold elected officials accountable.

  • Leading refugee policy and working in Washington, D.C., to expand the rights and protections of all displaced people.

Impact

HIAS Greece client Pieter Wittenberg and Staff Attorney Maria Spiliotakara pose outside the courthouse in Lesvos during the proceedings of their case on January 15, 2026. (HIAS Greece)

HIAS Greece Successfully Defends Humanitarian on Trial

As governments around the world increasingly shut the door on refugees and asylum seekers, humanitarians like HIAS Greece’s client Pieter Wittenberg continue to provide lifesaving aid.

Chillingly in 2018, the Greek government charged Pieter and 23 other volunteers and NGO workers with facilitation of illegal entry for profit, membership of a criminal organization, and money laundering.

Essentially, they were charged for providing humanitarian assistance, and if found guilty, could have served up to 20 years in jail.

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