The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), known for their resettlement work in the U.S. and internationally, is one of the oldest refugee protection agencies in the country. The organization became part of the national conversation Saturday after the man suspected of shooting and killing 11 at a synagogue in Pittsburgh appeared to have referred to the group online.
In a post on the social network Gab, Robert Bowers, 46, linked to a directory of synagogues participating in a HIAS event, National Refugee Shabbat, saying he “appreciated” the list.
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"We have made a lot of progress in the past two years in getting attention to our work but yesterday, things took a turn," said Bill Swersey, a communications director for HIAS.
In 1980, HIAS became an official, voluntary agency for the State Department's Office of Refugee Resettlement State, joining eight other organizations, which include other religious-based groups like the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and the Church World Service.
The U.S government refers immigration cases to HIAS, where they work with their 20 sites and affiliates across the country to help resettle refugees.
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HIAS is also involved in immigration causes globally through their 10 international offices. The recent issues at the U.S.-Mexico border and oncoming migrant caravan has also become part of the forefront of their work.
"As far as the migrant caravan goes, we are actively advocating for asylum seekers," Swersey said.
HIAS held their National Refugee Shabbat last week from Oct. 19-20 in various locations across the country so that congregations could "deepen" their understanding of the current refugee crisis. Speakers like Ahed Festuk, a Syrian activist from Aleppo and Debora Barrios-Vasquez, who recently resettled in the U.S. after fleeing Guatemala, spoke to attendees.
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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...n-work-n925391
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