Join us in taking action and raising awareness. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Dear John,

On June 15, the Federal Register published 161 pages of proposed asylum regulations that are exhaustive in scope. If implemented, they will alter asylum in the United States beyond recognition. The proposed changes include everything from completely barring the granting of asylum on the basis of gender to changing the very definition of what “persecution” means. 

July 15 is the last day on which the public can submit comments in response to the proposed regulations. Click here to learn how you can submit your comment and take action. Every voice matters in the fight to protect the right to seek asylum.

As the Greater Washington, D.C. region gradually reopens, please know that HIAS will continue to offer online community engagement programming for the foreseeable future to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and supporters. For example, on Thursday, July 16 at 4:00 pm, Keith Combs, HIAS’ economic inclusion program manager, will be in conversation with Noobtsaa Philip Vang, founder and CEO of Foodhini, and others to discuss how HIAS and local organizations help new immigrants and refugees succeed through economic opportunity.

Scroll down to find many more ways to learn about and advocate for refugees and asylum seekers.

In solidarity,

Chelsey Berlin

Chelsey Berlin,
Community Engagement Director for Greater Washington, DC

P.S. Help us make sure candidates in races across the country state their support for welcoming refugees and asylum seekers by joining the Vote for Welcome 2020 Campaign. 

Integrating Refugees into the American Economy
Thursday, July 16 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Zoom Webinar

Economic integration is essential in order for refugees to become self-sufficient and successfully integrate in the United States. HIAS assists refugees with integration through three specific programs that emphasize financial literacy, rapid employment, and asset building. In these unprecedented times, the challenges of being economically insecure are more present than ever. Join us for a virtual program to hear from Keith Combs, HIAS’ economic inclusion program manager, on how HIAS prepares recently resettled refugees to enter the American workforce, followed by a panel discussion featuring Lina Zdruli, founder and CEO of Dafero; Noobtsaa Philip Vang, founder and CEO of Foodhini; and Arielle Reynoso, partnerships and volunteer program lead at Upwardly Global, who represent three organizations in Greater Washington, D.C. that help new immigrants and refugees succeed through economic opportunity.

HIAS Action DC Virtual Community Meeting
Tuesday, July 21 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm | Zoom Group Meeting

Join us for a community meeting of HIAS Action DC, a 20s and 30s network. HIAS is making sure that refugees and asylum seekers’ rights and needs are front and center in COVID-19 response efforts. Elizabeth Mandelman, HIAS’ senior director for policy and advocacy, will brief us on refugee and asylum policy right now, and grassroots campaign fellow Trevor Dworetz will train us on how to use that knowledge to advocate for refugees and asylum seekers in the 2020 election cycle. The HIAS Action DC Steering Committee will also share an update about the network as DC reopens, and we’ll close with concrete ways to get involved from home.

This program is for people in their 20s and 30s.

HIAS@Home Book/Film Club
Friday, July 17 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Zoom Group Meeting

We will discuss the film "Refugee" (2018, directed by Joyce Chen and Emily Moore, starring Aicha Ba). Register to receive an email with the meeting Zoom link a few days prior to the discussion. You can watch the film on Amazon Prime (with an account) or on Vimeo Pro (rent or buy).

HIAS Monthly Letter Writing Program
Monday, July 27 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Zoom Webinar

Join this monthly program to write letters offering compassion and solidarity to asylum seekers in detention, helping them access hope and connection.

 
 
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HIAS
1300 Spring Street
Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-844-7300
 
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