Plus: HIAS Board Member Nominated to Head DHS, “Sidewalk School” offers hope for
children, Paying tribute to refugee veterans, and more.
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November 2020
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Update: A New Holiday in a New Country]
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Update: A New Holiday in a New Country]
[[link removed]] A New Holiday In a New Country: Refugees Celebrate First Thanksgiving
[[link removed]] In recent weeks, as families across the country asked how they would be
celebrating this Thanksgiving, others have been wondering: What is Thanksgiving,
anyway? Biden Election Marks Return to American Values
[[link removed]] “The election of Joseph Biden marks a return to (American) values, an
acknowledgement that refugees and immigrants have always been a benefit, not a
burden to our great country," said Mark Hetfield in a video message marking Joe
Biden’s election victory. Watch the full video.
[[link removed]] Asylees and Refugees Cast Their First U.S. Votes
[[link removed]] For many refugees, 2020 was their first opportunity to cast a ballot in a U.S.
election — or at all. Ed Beetar and Mohamed Abdirahman described what that
experience meant to them. Find out what it meant for them.
[[link removed]] HIAS Board Member Alejandro Mayorkas Nominated to Head DHS
[[link removed]] President-Elect Biden has named the Cuban-born Jewish former refugee to head
the Department of Homeland Security. Mayorkas served as deputy secretary of DHS
and director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Pres. Obama. Read more.
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[[link removed]] The 16 Days Campaign Hopes To End Gender-Based Violence
[[link removed]] The restrictions and lockdowns meant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic are also
fueling an exponential rise in gender-based violence. The international 16 Days
of Activism campaign begins this week, calling for the prevention and
elimination of violence against women and girls. Learn more about the campaign.
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[[link removed]] An Education for Those 'Without'
[[link removed]] Gaps in education can be difficult to overcome, but the Sidewalk School in
Matamoros, Mexico offers a bit of hope for 200 children who can now take free
weekday classes in math, English, and science. More about the sidewalk school.
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[[link removed]] Helping Refugees Find Jobs? There's an App for That.
[[link removed]] It’s often hard for refugees to find jobs, but what if there was an app to help
them? Now, artificial intelligence-based technology developed by a HIAS partner
is linking refugees’ skills with job profiles. Read more about the app.
[[link removed]]More news and stories on our blog.
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In case you missed it:
* Senator Cardin Hopeful for Change on Immigration, Refugee Resettlement
[[link removed]] – During a post-election HIAS webinar, Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat,
said he’s hopeful that Congress will soon pass comprehensive immigration
reform to fix the damage wrought by the Trump administration. No matter what,
though, “change is on the horizon,” he said.
* Father Faces Criminal Charge Over Son's Death In Migrant Boat Tragedy
[[link removed]] – The father of a six-year-old who died trying to reach the Greek island of
Samos from Turkey was charged by Greek authorities with endangering his son’s
life. Vassilis Kerasiotis, HIAS Greece’s country director, said the case was
a troubling development that is part of a broader shift toward criminalizing
refugees and migrants.
* HIAS Ecuador Wins UN Awards
[[link removed]] – Sabrina Lustgarten, HIAS Ecuador’s country director, accepted the
Sustainable Development Goals Awards from Global Compact and the United
Nations system in Ecuador. “This recognition is the result of a huge effort
and innovation in our economic inclusion programs that aim to promote
self-reliance, resilience, and empowerment,” said Galo Quizanga, HIAS’ global
director for economic inclusion.
* An Asylum Victory Four Years In The Making
[[link removed]] – One Salvadoran family recently enjoyed a happy ending after a four-year-long
escape from deadly violence at home to safety in the United States. With the
help of HIAS attorney Andres Meraz, the family was granted asylum. “It’s
inspiring to see our clients persevere in the face of such adversity, to tell
their story and their truths and to be justly rewarded for it,” said Stephen
Brown, HIAS’ supervising attorney.
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Watch and Learn:
* Mark Hetfield at the Halifax Forum
[[link removed]] – “I’m really optimistic that over the next four years America will once again
lead in the area of refugee protection globally and also will do it by
example.”
* HIAS Post-Election Debrief [[link removed]] – Hear about the urgency and importance of keeping refugee issues at the top
of the incoming administration’s policy agenda, and restoring our nation’s
historic leadership in refugee resettlement and protection for asylum
seekers.
* The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Refugees [[link removed]] – HIAS staff members discuss how refugees have become more vulnerable because
of the economic shocks and restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Get Involved:
* Check out upcoming HIAS events
[[link removed]] to stay engaged on refugee issues during the pandemic.
* Check our list of ways you can help
[[link removed]] refugees and asylum seekers, even while social distancing.
* Learn about our remote volunteer opportunities
[[link removed]] .
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