Advocate for Refugee Rights

Advocacy is fundamental to the HIAS Foundation’s priorities. With the Jewish community's support, HIAS stands up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.

Activists from HIAS and other refugee-supporting organizations demonstrate at Ronald Reagan Airport in response to the decision to reduce the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. Washington, D.C., October 16, 2019. (Eric Kruszewski for HIAS)

Overview

HIAS’ advocacy work in the United States and abroad 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 works to protect and advance fair and humane refugee and asylum policies. In the U.S., this work largely focuses on refugee resettlement and asylum; throughout the world, HIAS advocates for policies that serve displaced people, including through protection and safety, economic integration, ending gender-based violence, and responding to emergencies. Through this work, HIAS seeks to create a world in which all forcibly displaced people can rebuild their lives and find safety, welcome, and opportunity.

800+

congregations have taken action for forcibly displaced people with HIAS.

Countries

Aruba
Greece
Israel
Kenya
Mexico
Panama
Ukraine
United States

Strategies

The HIAS Foundation supports HIAS in working to uphold and expand the rights and protections of refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people around the world. HIAS accomplishes this by:

  • 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

“They Tell Us They Finally Feel Heard”

In April 2021, Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the government to consider the asylum applications of 2,445 refugees. This was due in part to HIAS Israel’s legal advocacy on behalf of Sudanese asylum seekers, about 435 of whom were included in this ruling.

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