News & Views - HIAS Pennsylvania

Watch it Now | Those Who Have Been Left Behind: Defending Refugee Rights in a Time of Exclusion

In recognition of World Refugee Day, HIAS Pennsylvania held this program on the latest developments affecting refugees and asylees in the United States.

In this video, Cathryn Miller-Wilson, Executive Director of HIAS PA, and Shaloo Jose, Managing DOJ Accredited Representative, discuss barriers to permanent residence for refugees and asylees seeking to apply for Green Cards, and changes that could make it more difficult for refugees and asylees to obtain and maintain employment authorization. Their discussion also covers the federal government’s efforts to subject refugees and asylees, who have already been vetted and granted protection in the United States, to additional security vetting and review, as well as the court challenges that have temporarily paused these efforts. Additionally, the video addresses the current administration’s recent decision to increase refugee admissions, while reserving those slots exclusively for white South Africans, who do not meet the legal definition of a refugee.

This program was the final event for HIAS Pennsylvania’s 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month series.

Watch it Now | Commemorating the MS St. Louis: Lessons Learned From the Holocaust

HIAS Pennsylvania held this program in commemoration of the MS St. Louis on June 5, 2026. The MS St. Louis was a ship carrying 937 mostly Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust. The majority of them were refused entry into the United States on June 6, 1939. As a result, 254 of the passengers were ultimately killed by Nazis when they were forced to return to Europe.

Commemorating the MS St. Louis: Lessons Learned from the Holocaust, explored the consequences of isolationist policies, and lessons that can be learned from the fateful voyage of the MS St. Louis.

HIAS Pennsylvania’s Executive Director, Cathryn Miller-Wilson, was joined by Jutta Weduwen, Executive Director of the German organization, Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP).

ARSP was created after WWII to atone for the suffering caused by Nazi war crimes. The organization connects German volunteers with service organizations around the world. HIAS Pennsylvania has been fortunate to host many fellows from ARSP.

This program was a part of HIAS Pennsylvania’s 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month series.

Watch it Now | Understanding Philadelphia’s “ICE Out” Legislation Package with Kendra Brooks & Rue Landau

This is a recording of a program held by HIAS PA on June 15, 2026. The program provides a deep dive into Philadelphia’s “ICE Out” legislation package. This package is a landmark set of seven bills passed by Philadelphia City Council.

HIAS PA was joined by Minority Leader Kendra Brooks and Councilmember-at-Large Rue Landau, who introduced the package. In the video, they provide an overview of how these new policies aim to protect immigrant communities, strengthen Philadelphia’s “Welcoming City” status, and establish clear boundaries between local government and federal immigration enforcement.

This program was a part of HIAS Pennsylvania’s 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month series.

Watch it Now | The Decline of U.S. Citizenship & Dismantling of the American Dream

Immigration has been the basis of our country as well as the lifeblood of its growth and success from its beginnings. All of this makes the current federal government’s violent push to keep people out, strip people of legal status, deport them to countries in which some of them have never lived and prevent those who have called this country home for decades completely un-American.

This eye-opening conversation with HIAS PA’s Executive Director, Cathryn Miller-Wilson, and Managing DOJ Accredited Representative Lori Alexander unpacks the latest changes to the naturalization process. From expanded “neighborhood investigations” that raise serious concerns about privacy, fairness, and objectivity, to growing delays in scheduling interviews and oath ceremonies that leave applicants in limbo, new barriers are reshaping what it means to become an American. In this video, Cathy and Lori also discuss the impact of the amended citizenship test, which has become less accessible for many, and explore how a broader climate of anti-immigrant policies is discouraging eligible residents from even applying. Those who are already citizens are at risk too, as the current administration attempts to end birthright citizenship and ramps up denaturalization efforts.

This program is part of a series hosted by HIAS PA that addresses the current challenges immigrants are facing and ways that you can help your immigrant neighbors.

‘Protect us’: Activists demand end to ICE arrests outside Philly courts

By NBC10 News Published April 21, 2026 Attorneys, volunteers and community advocates gathered outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center on… MORE

For some undocumented minors living in Philadelphia, making it to the United States is just one step in a long journey to safety and security

By Constance Garcia-Barrio Published March 1, 2026 For Ana, 19, of Brazil, and Jonathan, 17, of… MORE

Watch it Now | Unchecked: The Growing Use and Misuse of Executive Powers

What power does the U.S. president really have and what happens when that power goes too far?

In honor of Presidents’ Day, HIAS PA held this virtual program about how executive authority is intended to function within a system of checks and balances, and how immigration law has always been a tool for executive authority abuse. Watch the recording to learn some surprising truths about what is actually legal, what needs to change and how to make those changes.

HIAS PA’s Executive Director, Cathryn Miller-Wilson, was joined by Constitutional scholar Professor Peter J. Spiro.

This program was part of a series hosted by HIAS PA that addresses the current challenges immigrants are facing and ways that you can help your immigrant neighbors.

Immigration lawsuits are dominating Philly’s federal courthouse as ICE push continues

By Abraham Gutman and Chris Palmer Published February 23, 2026 Before this summer, detained immigrants filed release… MORE

Watch it Now | The State of Immigration in America: Citizenship Under Threat

New immigration policies have created urgent challenges for immigrants. This includes changes to the citizenship process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is reviving neighborhood investigations of citizenship applicants, which may include interviews with neighbors, employers, coworkers, and others. This practice has not been done since 1991. USCIS has also changed the “good moral character” standard, which previously disqualified individuals who had committed serious crimes from becoming citizens. Now, an applicant must prove that they have had a positive influence in their community to meet this standard. Additionally, the current administration continues to pursue efforts to end birthright citizenship, despite the initial executive order being blocked by federal courts, and has started a denaturalization campaign.

These are a few of the changes that were addressed during HIAS Pennsylvania’s virtual program, The State of Immigration in America: Citizenship Under Threat. This program was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. HIAS PA’s Citizenship and Family Unification Program Manager, Lori Alexander, MSW, and Executive Director, Cathryn Miller-Wilson, Esq., discussed these policies and ways that community members can help local immigrants.

The State of Immigration in America is a series of programs held by HIAS PA which address the current challenges immigrants are facing and ways that you can help your immigrant neighbors.

Stories from the Frontlines: The Details Behind our Government’s Attempt at Child Snatching

By HIAS PA Executive Director, Cathryn Miller-Wilson Published September 28, 2025 On Labor Day weekend, one of our staff attorneys… MORE