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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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| 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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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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| 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. |
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More news and stories on our blog.
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In case you missed it:
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HIAS Says Proposed Regulations Would Obliterate Asylum System – 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 – Join in the fight against these changes by making a public comment and telling the government not to enact these proposed regulations.
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Refugees and COVID-19: The View From Ecuador – 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.
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HIAS Applauds SCOTUS Decision on DACA, Calls on Congress to Act – 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.
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Remembering the Lessons of the St. Louis – 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.
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In Search of Safety — LGBTQ Refugee Protection and HIAS – 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 – 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 – 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 refugees and asylum seekers, even while social distancing.
Learn about our remote volunteer opportunities.
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