Advocacy
Our Washington, D.C. office advances HIASβ refugee and immigrant protection agenda by educating Washington policy makers on issues concerning both Jewish migrants and the broader immigrant and refugee community.
NEW! HIAS Participates in Supreme Court Vigil
On Tuesday night, HIAS, the American Jewish Committee, rabbis, and others in the Jewish community will gather by the steps of the Supreme Court to join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition Prayer Vigil in advance of Wednesday's oral arguments on the Arizona immigration law. Click here to join the Reform Immigration for America campaign's virtual vigil to stand in solidarity with those who support a fair and humane immigration system that applies throughout the country.
Posted April 30, 2012
NEW! U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to Discuss Displacement in the Western Hemisphere
On Thursday April 26, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres will brief members of Congress, staff, NGOs, and the public about the estimated 5.4 million displaced people and refugees in the Western Hemisphere and the often overlooked security and humanitarian challenges facing Latin America. This will be the kickoff event in a monthly briefing series Congressman Farr (D-CA) is hosting called Latin America on the Rise. Learn more about the briefing series.
Posted April 30, 2012
NEW! Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Arizona's Immigration Law
Next week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding the constitutionality of Arizona's immigration enforcement law SB 1070. The purpose of SB 1070, as stated by the Arizona legislature, is to keep undocumented immigrants from coming to Arizona and to drive out those already in the state. HIAS joined over 100 groups in an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Court arguing that the law harms both immigrants and citizens and cannot be constitutionally applied. Through various initiatives such as the Reform Immigration For America's virtual vigil, individuals and communities can stand in solidarity with immigrants in Arizona while the Supreme Court considers this case. Read more about HIAS' policy regarding state and local immigration initiatives.
Posted April 19, 2012
On April 2nd, the Obama Administration published a proposed rule to allow certain family members of U.S. citizens to apply for a provisional waiver of inadmissibility while in the U.S. This significant change will reduce the time Americans are separated from family members who are applying for green cards and encourage more undocumented immigrants who are close relatives of U.S. citizens -- and therefore eligible for green cards -- to apply. Under current policy, immigrants who have been in the U.S. without authorization for more than 6 months must leave the U.S. and apply for a waiver from the 3-year or 10-year bars to re-entry before they can return to the country legally. While applicants would still need to go abroad to complete their legal immigration process, this change will significantly reduce the amount of time that American families are separated. Information about how to submit comments is included with the Federal Register notice of the proposed rule. Learn more.
Posted April 19, 2012
NEW! CAP Event on Arizona's Immigration Law
Posted April 12, 2012
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