General Info

The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, also known as HIAS, is one of the oldest, international migration and refugee resettlement agencies in the United States. Founded in 1881 by a group of Jewish immigrants who found sanctuary in the United States after fleeing persecution in Europe, the agency provides lifesaving services to world Jewry. It assists in the rescue and relocation of Jews from Morocco, Ethiopia and Egypt. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society also advocates on the behalf of refugees and migrants on international, national and community levels. It has more than 100 employees and a support base of over 14,000 individuals. The agency offers legal counseling at immigration proceedings before the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. It provides scholarships to refugees who pursue postsecondary education in Israel. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society also monitors U.S. government activities on immigration-related issues and intervenes on behalf of migrants and the American Jewish community. It additionally participates in local and national coalitions of human rights and immigration organizations to effect positive changes for people at risk.