Since 1882, HIAS Pennsylvania and its predecessor organization, the Association for Jewish Immigrants, have exemplified the full meaning of the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger, as well as the American sentiment of sanctuary as engraved inside the Statue of Liberty with the words of Emma Lazarus.

1882

1888-1912

1945

1962

1979

1978-1996

1993

2008

Today

1882

Members of Philadelphia’s Jewish community form the Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants to assist Eastern European Jews arriving in Philadelphia.

The increase in Jewish immigrants resulted from a wave of pogroms and mass expulsions in the Russian empire that left hundreds of thousands of Jews homeless. Between 1880 and 1924, nearly 2 million Jews from Russian and Eastern Europe sought refuge in the U.S.

1888-1919

Under the leadership of Louis Edward Levy, the organization not only helps Jewish immigrants resettle but serves as a platform for his tireless work to combat the growing tide of restrictive immigration legislation.

Levy allied with other agencies, including HIAS New York and the National Liberal Immigration League, to fight restrictive immigration legislation, such as literacy tests, head taxes, and categorization of immigrants as “undesirable” due to geographic/ethnic origin or health status. Despite his efforts, the Literacy Act of 1917 succeeded and was quickly followed by the Immigration Act of 1924, which severely limited immigration through the use of quotas.

1945

Philadelphia’s HIAS merges with the local branch of the National Council of Jewish Women to help Holocaust victims resettle. The new organization is incorporated as HIAS and Council Migration Service.

1962

The movement to aid Soviet Jews gains force with the Philadelphia Jewish community in a leadership role, conducting public demonstrations, building coalitions, and lobbying public officials.

As the Cold War progressed, the Stalinist regime often targeted Jews, labeling them as traitors and sending them to labor camps. A small number gained entry to the U.S., but most were not permitted to leave the Soviet Union.  American leaders in the Soviet Jewry Movement traveled to Russia, where they met with “refusniks” to bring attention to their plight.

1979

At the federal government’s request, HIAS Pennsylvania begins to resettle refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos — its first concerted work with non-Jewish immigrants. 

After the Vietnam War, the US government turned to non-profit agencies to provide refugees with temporary housing, case management, loans, and immigration-related services. By the summer of 1982, HIAS Pennsylvania and Jewish Children and Family Services had resettled over 2,000 Southeast Asian refugees.

1978-1996

HIAS Pennsylvania, in concert with other Jewish agencies, resettles over 20,000 Jews from Iran and the Soviet Union in Philadelphia.  

Iranian Jews fled hostile environment created by the Ayatollah Khomeini regime, while Soviet Jews were finally able to leave after the success of the Soviet Jewry Movement. In 1989, the Lautenberg amendment codified this policy, permitting Jews and Evangelical Christians from the former Soviet Union and Iran to enter as refugees.

1993

HIAS Pennsylvania begins the Litigation Project to represent people seeking asylum or other legal status in the US, a major expansion of services beyond family reunification and citizenship.

The Litigation Project became especially important when the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 made it much easier for U.S. officials to keep out or deport would-be immigrants.  The Litigation Project was the first in a series of HIAS PA legal programs that grew to include specialized services for domestic violence survivors, victims of crime, survivors of torture, and immigrant youth.

2008

HIAS PA assumes full management of refugee resettlement in Philadelphia.

In the next decade, HIAS Pennsylvania resettled over 1,250 refugees from all over the world, with the largest numbers coming from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bhutan, Burma, and Ukraine. This work continues today as a core service of HIAS Pennsylvania.

Today

HIAS Pennsylvania remains at the forefront of immigrant issues through direct service, education, and advocacy.

In 2018, HIAS PA served 2,461 new clients from 113 countries.  HIAS Pennsylvania led a coalition to enroll youth in DACA in 2012, fought the Muslim Ban in 2017 and is currently leading the charge to get universal representation for detained immigrants in Pennsylvania.

HIAS PA or HIAS Inc.?

HIAS Pennsylvania is a completely separate nonprofit from HIAS Inc., the national organization. While the national HIAS works at the international and federal levels, and primarily focuses on refugees, HIAS PA works regionally, and serves both refugees and immigrants.

HIAS PA is a resettlement partner of HIAS Inc. The national HIAS works as an intermediary between the U.S. government and other organizations – including HIAS Pennsylvania – to administer the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

HIAS PA or HIAS Inc.?

HIAS Pennsylvania is a completely separate nonprofit from HIAS Inc., the national organization. While the national HIAS works at the international and federal levels, and primarily focuses on refugees, HIAS PA works regionally, and serves both refugees and immigrants.

HIAS PA is a resettlement partner of HIAS Inc. The national HIAS works as an intermediary between the U.S. government and other organizations – including HIAS Pennsylvania – to administer the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

Sound like we can help you?

TONIGHT (4/20) - Join us ONLINE at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!

Join us ONLINE at 6:45PM TONIGHT, Thursday, April 20th, for HIAS PA's 2023 Golden Door Awards: United for Immigrants!

Happy Passover from HIAS Pennsylvania!HIAS PA is closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover

HIAS Pennsylvania will be closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover from 1PM on Wednesday, April 5th through Friday, April 7th, and on Wednesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 13th.

Join us at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!United for Immigrants

The Golden Door Awards is HIAS Pennsylvania's annual fundraiser. Your generous support helps us serve low-income immigrants from all over the world as they build new lives in our community.

Last chance to be the light for immigrants this year!It only takes one spark to light an entire room.

Your support today means your immigrant neighbors are able to make a home for themselves and thrive in our community.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

Unleash generosity this Giving Tuesday!

This Giving Tuesday, you can change an immigrant's life!


This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to be part of a worldwide effort to give back to those in need in our community and help immigrants and refugees begin new lives here in Pennsylvania!

Join us ONLINE at 12:45PM TODAY at the Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Volunteer Appreciation Awards!

Thanking our volunteers, who, in times of crisis and calm, constantly step up to “repair the world” by supporting immigrants and refugees.

Join us at the Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Volunteer Appreciation Awards!

The in-person Tikkun Olam Awards are sold out!

Join us online TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 19th, at 12:45PM at the virtual Tikkun Olam Awards!


Thanking our volunteers, who, in times of crisis and calm, constantly step up to “repair the world” by supporting immigrants and refugees.

TONIGHT: Join us at the table!Join us for Thankful Together!

Thankful Together, formerly known as Refugee Thanksgiving, is happening TONIGHT at 6PM!

Register here to join us tonight: https://hiaspa1.wpengine.com/event/thankful-together-2021/

Celebrate our volunteers who make this all possible!Click here at 11:45AM to join our Annual Meeting!

Click here to join our virtual Annual Meeting!

The Annual Meeting starts at noon, but join us at 11:45AM for an informal chat before the event!

POSTPONED! Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan

Today's Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan Facebook Live event has been postponed due to a worldwide Facebook outage. We will update you as soon as possible about rescheduling the event.

Join us for Thankful TogetherWatch performances from cultural groups and immigrants from around Philadelphia.
Give immigrants a brighter future

Make 2021 better for immigrants and refugees by ensuring they have the support to recover from anti-immigrant policies and the pandemic.

Double your donation this Giving Tuesday!All gifts will be matched up to a total of $11,000

Help every immigrant achieve their greatest potential by ensuring there are no obstacles like a lack of legal status or language access stand in their way.