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Fact Sheet: United States FACT SHEET: UNITED STATES HIAS IN THE US Founded: 1881 New York Staff Size: 98 Silver Spring Office Locations: Silver Spring, Maryland (Headquarters) and New York City Additionally, HIAS partners with Jewish Family Services and other social service organizations to resettle refugees in nearly 20 cities across the country. HIAS affiliates are found in the following locations: • San Diego, CA • Springfield, MA • Cleveland Heights, OH • Los Gatos, CA • Ann Arbor, MI • Columbus, OH • Walnut Creek, CA • Charlotte, NC • Toledo, OH • Wilmington, DE • Buffalo, NY • Philadelphia, PA • Clearwater, FL • New York, NY • Pittsburgh, PA • Framingham, MA • White Plains, NY • Kent (Seattle), WA • Madison, WI REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES Each year, the U.S. welcomes thousands of refugees from countries such as Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Burma, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before arriving in the U.S., refugees must undergo an extreme screening process including interviews, background checks, and medical exams. After being cleared through these processes and taking part in other pre-arrival activities, each case is matched with one of nine resettlement agencies (RAs). The resettlement agencies work together to match the needs of each case with resources available in a local community. If an incoming case already has family in the U.S., they will likely be resettled near or with them. Once a case has been matched with an RA and all other processing steps are complete, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) transports the refugee(s) to their new home in the United States. Transportation to the U.S. is provided as a loan by IOM, and refugees are required to begin repaying it once they are established in the country. HIAS BENEFICIARIES IN THE UNITED STATES As part of the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVs) are the sole beneficiaries of HIAS programs in the United States. However, HIAS does offer other services to assist asylum seekers and other immigrants through its legal department. SILVER SPRING • NEW YORK • WASHINGTON DC • CARACAS • KAMPALA • KYIV • LESVOS • N’DJAMENA • NAIROBI • PANAMA CITY • QUITO • SAN JOSE • TEL AVIV • VIENNA During FY 2017, HIAS resettled approximately 3,300 refugees and SIVs. HIAS SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES After our Pre-Arrival team ensures the safe arrival of each refugee assured by HIAS, we then work to provide programs that aid refugees in social and economic integration through government- funded grants. HIAS is also supported by generous grants from other non-profit organizations, foundations, religious organizations, and more. Basic Needs The Reception and Placement (R&P) program benefits all refugees in the U.S. from the moment they enter the country, until 90 days after arrival. Through the program, HIAS affiliates provide essential services to refugees, including airport reception; safe, affordable, sanitary housing; essential furnishings, food, and clothing; cultural and community orientation; English as a Second Language enrollment; and assistance with access to other social, medical, and employment services. Social Integration HIAS strives for social integration among refugees through the provision of programs such as Preferred Communities (PC) and Refugee AmeriCorps. Through the PC program, particularly vulnerable refugees are able to receive intensive case management services, extensive cultural orientation, and links to supporting social services. Another component of PC is the Refugee AmeriCorps program, which facilitates capacity building activities, focusing on volunteer recruitment and management. Economic Integration Economic Integration is essential in order for refugees to become self-sufficient and so that they can successfully integrate in the United States. HIAS is able to assist refugees to achieve this through programs such as Matching Grant (MG) and Microenterprise Development (MED). The MG program is an alternative to public cash assistance. The MED program enables refugee women to begin and operate microenterprises from their homes to increase their household’s income and to gain financial literacy. PARTNERS Corporation for National & Community Service International Organization for Migration (IOM) Jewish Family Service Organizations Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) Refugee Processing Center (RPC) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) UJA – Federation of New York U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) /HIASrefugees @HIASrefugees Headquarters 1300 Spring Street, Suite 500 • Silver Spring, MD 20910 • 301 844 7300 New York Office 411 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1006 • New York, NY 10016 • 212 967 4100 hias.org.
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