Plus: Standing for justice at home, welcoming the contributions of refugees amid
COVID-19, and more.
June 2020
This June, as we do each year, HIAS marked World Refugee Day by celebrating the
resilience and contributions of forcibly displaced persons around the world. But
there was no denying how heartbreaking and transformative a month it has been.
UNCHR’s latest figures show that nearly 80 million people around the world are
now forcibly displaced — a significant jump from last year and a new all-time
high. And despite that sad reality, our own government is taking further steps
to dismantle our refugee resettlement and asylum systems.
Yet there was also cause for hope as we commemorated Juneteenth and Pride Month
and stood with those protesting the unjust killings of Black Americans. While
HIAS is the American Jewish community’s global refugee organization, we protect
refugees of all faiths, ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities. No
Americans, whether new or native-born, should be judged by the color of their
skin or their sexual orientation.
Just as we applaud the “seismic quake” in public opinion on the importance of
ending racism in America, we look forward to a future when welcoming refugees
and asylum seekers is uncontroversial once again.
All of us at HIAS
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[[link removed]] Number of Displaced Reaches All-Time High — Again
[[link removed]] UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, published its annual Global Trends report and
found that 79.5 million people around the world were forcibly displaced at the
end of 2019. That's a significant jump from 2018, when the overall number
reached 70.8 million, and now represents a full 1 percent of the world's
population. Read more about the global situation.
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[[link removed]] Refugees Join the Global Fight Against COVID-19
[[link removed]] Even as many displaced persons are suffering amid the pandemic, many are also
giving back to their host communities. Whether delivering meals or working in
hospitals, thousands of refugees around the world are helping thousands of
people get through the crisis. For World Refugee Day, HIAS released a video
filmed entirely by refugees.
Watch our video here.
[[link removed]]As the situation around COVID-19 changes every day, so do our response pages.
Check HIAS.org [[link removed]] for the latest info on our operations.
[[link removed]] Standing for a Welcoming, Safe, and Just America for All
[[link removed]] As millions of Americans demand justice after the deaths of George Floyd,
Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans, HIAS stands with them. We stand with
our Black colleagues, supporters, partners, clients, and beneficiaries. We stand
against these dehumanizing acts of violence and for justice for the Black
community.
Read our full statement.
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[[link removed]] New HIAS Report Examines Refugee Lives Upended By COVID-19
[[link removed]] Earlier this year, as HIAS rushed to support and protect refugees threatened by
COVID-19, we also started researching how those refugees’ lives were changing
amid the pandemic. The results of that research were clear: every danger
refugees and asylum seekers faced before the pandemic has only gotten worse, and
the need for more help is urgent. Read our report and find out more.
[[link removed]]More news and stories on our blog.
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In case you missed it:
* HIAS Says Proposed Regulations Would Obliterate Asylum System
[[link removed]] – On June 15, the Trump administration proposed new asylum regulations that if
implemented, would essentially make it impossible to apply successfully for
asylum in the United States “These new regulations are the equivalent of
taking a steamroller and obliterating what remains of the asylum system. They
flout any pretense of attempting to adhere to the rule of law and basic
tenets of due process,” said Naomi Steinberg, HIAS’ vice president for policy
and advocacy.
Take Action: Make a Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Asylum Regulations
[[link removed]] – Join in the fight against these changes by making a public comment and
telling the government not to enact these proposed regulations.
* Refugees and COVID-19: The View From Ecuador
[[link removed]] – For years, HIAS Ecuador has helped many refugees from Colombia, Venezuela,
and other countries find safety and even a measure of prosperity. But with
COVID-19 hitting Ecuador particularly hard some of those people have lost
their jobs, run through their savings, and come back to HIAS for help once
more. Sabrina Lustgarten, HIAS’ country director in Ecuador, recorded a video
about how refugees in the country are dealing with the situation.
* HIAS Applauds SCOTUS Decision on DACA, Calls on Congress to Act
[[link removed]] – The Supreme Court ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Immigrants
program, or DACA, could remain in place. “We must restore basic fairness and
humanity to the way we treat immigrants and refugees. DACA does that by
recognizing recipients for who they are: Americans in everything but
paperwork,” said Melanie Nezer, HIAS’ senior vice president of public
affairs.
* Remembering the Lessons of the St. Louis
[[link removed]] – June 6, marked 81 years since the day the German passenger ship MS St.
Louis, carrying 937 people – nearly all Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany
– was denied entry to the United States. HIAS sees this anniversary as a time
to not only examine the past but recognize its unfortunate parallels in the
present.
* In Search of Safety — LGBTQ Refugee Protection and HIAS
[[link removed]] – All around the world, LGBTQ people face persecution, violence, and
harassment. With few protections at home, many flee to seek safety in other
countries with no guarantee they will find it. This Pride Month, HIAS held a
briefing call to discuss our work with LGBTQ refugees around the world.
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Stay Involved With HIAS@Home
[[link removed]] – Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, there are still many ways to learn
about, advocate for, and help refugees and asylum seekers. We’ve launched a new
page, HIAS@Home, where we offer calls and webinars with our experts and
partners, refugee-related resources for book and film clubs, and other ways to
stay engaged on refugee issues during the pandemic.
The Sousa Mendes Foundation Presents: The Power of Music
[[link removed]] – Join HIAS and the Sousa Mendes Foundation for an online event on June 28.
Participants will watch a short documentary about the extraordinary life of
concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Alice Herz Sommer and enjoy a musical
response to this tender and touching film.
Find a list of ways that you can help
[[link removed]] refugees and asylum seekers, even while social distancing.
Learn about our remote volunteer opportunities [[link removed]] .
Did you know that HIAS is on LinkedIn
[[link removed]] ? You can also find us on Instagram
[[link removed]] and Medium
[[link removed]] .
For up to the minute news and updates, follow HIAS on Facebook
[[link removed]] and Twitter
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