Dear John,

In September, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) purporting to give state and local governments the authority to block refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions. This state-by-state, city-by-city refugee ban not only violates federal law, but also keeps refugees apart from their families, and prevents willing and able American communities like yours from welcoming people in need of safety.

This morning, HIAS, joined by two other refugee agencies, filed suit to stop this latest attempt to shut down refugee resettlement. 

This EO is not only an abdication of federal authority, but also flies in the face of the American and Jewish values that have long guided us in helping refugees start their lives anew in the United States. We will not stand for it. The Administration is turning its back on refugees and refugee resettlement, but HIAS is not.

For well over a century, HIAS has stood on the side of refugees and a welcoming America. In 2017, when the Administration issued its refugee ban we headed to the courts. Today, we are defending our country and our values by doing it again.

Read more about HIAS vs Trump on the HIAS blog.

Thank you for standing with us,

Mark Hetfield President and CEO HIAS