News & Views

An Open Letter to the HIAS Pennsylvania Community

I write today to inform the public that HIAS Pennsylvania is requiring all of its staff and interns to be vaccinated effective October 1, 2021. We are taking this important step because it is clear both from science and history that vaccination is not a personal choice, it is a necessary step to protect the community. In our fight for social justice we strive, always, to advocate for policies that are just, equitable, and inclusive. Respecting human dignity and celebrating human life requires this. A policy that ensures that we are doing everything in our power to keep each other and our friends and neighbors safe does just that.

And what does this have to do with immigration? At the moment, everything. We read with dismay yesterday’s headlines about the Biden administration’s decision to extend Title 42 expulsions indefinitely. Title 42 is a section in the Code of Federal Regulations that allows for the deportation of immigrants without due process because of a public health emergency. When COVID-19 shut the world down in March, 2020, Title 42 was invoked to provide for the immediate expulsion of any immigrant who had crossed the border without documentation – even those seeking asylum or those who had humanitarian claims to make but who had not yet been heard regarding those claims. Because it is a regulation that permits such expulsions without hearings or representation, the invocation of the regulation was temporary and set to expire. And to our surprise and consternation, the Biden administration acted on their fears rather than reason.

We are all afraid of the rising infection rates, the breakthrough infections and the increased hospitalizations. But this time we have a way to combat these. Vaccinations work, masking works, testing works, quarantining works. There are many ways to address the pandemic with persons who cross our borders, none of which require immediate expulsions without due process. The CDC has confirmed that they are not recommending this extension of the invocation of Title 42 precisely because there are ways to address the pandemic that don’t involve the risk that expulsions do. Immigrants deported to Mexico are facing enormous danger from cartels who are waiting to take advantage of them – robbery, assault, kidnapping, rape, or even murder. And, immigrants to whom we could have offered the vaccine are being deported without due process, moving around, being exposed, and exposing others to COVID-19.

So, in light of all of this, we thought we should share our vaccination policy far and wide. To show all who support our work and seek our help that we care about keeping them safe. And to show the world that justice and public health go hand in hand.

With love and anticipation for a better tomorrow,

Cathryn Miller-Wilson

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.

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.

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.