Mark Hetfield
@mjhetfield.bsky.social
President of HIAS, the Jewish community’s international agency standing with forcibly displaced persons, and the oldest refugee organization in the world.
Happy that HIAS and JFS of Western Mass welcomed this family after 20 years as refugees in Zimbabwe. Their January travel to the US was cancelled by the refugee ban, rebooked per court order in Pacito v Trump. On PBS NewsHour
m.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwE... va e ge r abweles ica roevrovr ve earud un
m.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwE... va e ge r abweles ica roevrovr ve earud un
A look at life for small group of refugees allowed in U.S. since Trump took office
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
m.youtube.com
July 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Happy that HIAS and JFS of Western Mass welcomed this family after 20 years as refugees in Zimbabwe. Their January travel to the US was cancelled by the refugee ban, rebooked per court order in Pacito v Trump. On PBS NewsHour
m.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwE... va e ge r abweles ica roevrovr ve earud un
m.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwE... va e ge r abweles ica roevrovr ve earud un
Trump-Vance vilified refugees, then vilified the Catholic Bishops for resettling refugees.Today the Bishops left the US refugee program.Catholicism, like Judaism, is clear on the imperative to welcome refugees. I have faith they, like us, will continue to do all they can to fulfill that imperative.
The Government’s Decisions Have Forced USCCB to Reconsider How to Serve the Needs of Those Seeking Safe Harbor from Violence and Persecution, says Archbishop Broglio | @usccbofficial.bsky.social www.usccb.org/news/2025/go...
The Government’s Decisions Have Forced USCCB to Reconsider How to Serve the Needs of Those Seeking Safe Harbor from Violence and Persecution, says Archbishop Broglio
Today, the USCCB announced its decision not to renew the cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee supp...
www.usccb.org
April 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Trump-Vance vilified refugees, then vilified the Catholic Bishops for resettling refugees.Today the Bishops left the US refugee program.Catholicism, like Judaism, is clear on the imperative to welcome refugees. I have faith they, like us, will continue to do all they can to fulfill that imperative.
NYT video on the devastating impact that the USG’s dismemberment of humanitarian assistance is having on the people we (HIAS) and other humanitarian agencies serve. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/w...
U.S. Foreign Aid Cuts Hit Sudanese Refugees Fleeing Violence and Famine in Darfur (Gift Article)
Just weeks after the U.S. government suspended its work in massive foreign aid cuts announced in January, humanitarians say much of the damage to critical programs has already been done.
www.nytimes.com
March 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
NYT video on the devastating impact that the USG’s dismemberment of humanitarian assistance is having on the people we (HIAS) and other humanitarian agencies serve. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/w...
Yes, the end of US humanitarian support has already resulted “in sickness, starvation and death” Shameful. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Opinion | The World’s Richest Men Take On the World’s Poorest Children (Gift Article)
I’ve seen U.S.A.I.D. operate around the world, and it’s not woke — it’s lifesaving.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Yes, the end of US humanitarian support has already resulted “in sickness, starvation and death” Shameful. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
In spite of a 2 week old court order to restart the US refugee resettlement program, the Trump State Department has taken ZERO steps to do so - denying protection to Iranian Jews and other persecuted religious minorities. www.timesofisrael.com/how-trumps-r...
Trump’s refugee ban is keeping 700 persecuted Iranian Jews out of the US
The US president has signed an order indefinitely halting the admission of refugees - including applicants for a special program for members of religious minority groups in Iran
www.timesofisrael.com
March 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
In spite of a 2 week old court order to restart the US refugee resettlement program, the Trump State Department has taken ZERO steps to do so - denying protection to Iranian Jews and other persecuted religious minorities. www.timesofisrael.com/how-trumps-r...
The ruling granting the injunction staying Trump’s UNLAWFUL dismantling of the US Refugee Admissions program is on-line. Pacito v Trump. Read it for yourself. refugeerights.org/wp-content/u...
refugeerights.org
March 1, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The ruling granting the injunction staying Trump’s UNLAWFUL dismantling of the US Refugee Admissions program is on-line. Pacito v Trump. Read it for yourself. refugeerights.org/wp-content/u...
On @pbsnews.org last night on how refugees have been a blessing to the country - a blessing and a Congressionally authorized legal immigration program which Trump is unlawfully dismantling. We’re fighting him in court. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
How advocacy groups are responding to a court blocking Trump's ban on refugees
A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order halting the admission of refugees into the United States. The judge said the administration had likely exceeded its authority by f...
www.pbs.org
February 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
On @pbsnews.org last night on how refugees have been a blessing to the country - a blessing and a Congressionally authorized legal immigration program which Trump is unlawfully dismantling. We’re fighting him in court. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Good news: I spent today in Federal Court in Seattle where @hias-refugees.bsky.social @irap.bsky.social & friends got an injunction against Trump’s unlawful, cruel, costly & completely unnecessary ban against the legal resettlement of refugees to the USA. There is still justice in this country.
“We challenged President Trump’s unlawful suspension of USRAP because it not only hurts refugees — it hurts our country."
@mjhetfield.bsky.social on today’s court ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Read more 👇
@mjhetfield.bsky.social on today’s court ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Read more 👇
HIAS Applauds Federal Court’s Ruling Blocking Suspension of Refugee Program
hias.org
February 26, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Good news: I spent today in Federal Court in Seattle where @hias-refugees.bsky.social @irap.bsky.social & friends got an injunction against Trump’s unlawful, cruel, costly & completely unnecessary ban against the legal resettlement of refugees to the USA. There is still justice in this country.
Proud HIAS is an “et al” in Global Health Council et al v Trump.The Judge issued a TRO against Trump’s effort to politicize humanitarian assistance, break USG commitments to nonprofit partners and harm the vulnerable people we serve.The ruling speaks for itself. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
s3.documentcloud.org
February 14, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Proud HIAS is an “et al” in Global Health Council et al v Trump.The Judge issued a TRO against Trump’s effort to politicize humanitarian assistance, break USG commitments to nonprofit partners and harm the vulnerable people we serve.The ruling speaks for itself. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Very proud of @hias-refugees.bsky.social for joining the first lawsuit against Trump’s 2025 refugee ban. Let’s make America greet again. Refugee resettlement is safe and legal immigration. It is a blessing to this country and to the refugees themselves. Reopen it now. hias.org/statements/h...
HIAS Joins Litigation to Stand Up for Refugees
HIAS joins the first lawsuit challenging President Trump's EO suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
hias.org
February 10, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Very proud of @hias-refugees.bsky.social for joining the first lawsuit against Trump’s 2025 refugee ban. Let’s make America greet again. Refugee resettlement is safe and legal immigration. It is a blessing to this country and to the refugees themselves. Reopen it now. hias.org/statements/h...
The good news is that Trump finally re-opened the door for refugee resettlement to the U.S. The bad news
Is that it’s limited to White Arikaners from South Africa….
Is that it’s limited to White Arikaners from South Africa….
Trump just issued an executive order titled: ADDRESSING EGREGIOUS ACTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
It says "the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation"
It says "the United States shall promote the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation"
February 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The good news is that Trump finally re-opened the door for refugee resettlement to the U.S. The bad news
Is that it’s limited to White Arikaners from South Africa….
Is that it’s limited to White Arikaners from South Africa….
Bring Elizabeth home now.....
Iraq must return Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov or else, US hostage envoy warns jpost.com/internationa...
Iraq must return Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tzurkov or else, US hostage envoy warns
"If Elizabeth Tsurkov does not come home NOW, then the Iraqi Prime Minister is either incapable and should be fired or, worse, complicit," Boehler said.
jpost.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Bring Elizabeth home now.....
So he shuts down ALL refugee resettlement to the United States but….
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
Trump suggests permanent resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza
President Trump on Tuesday suggested Palestinians should be permanently relocated out of Gaza, questioning why they would want to return after swaths of the territory was reduced to rubble after mo…
thehill.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
So he shuts down ALL refugee resettlement to the United States but….
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
1/26: VP Vance lied to @margaretbrennan.bsky.social #FaceTheNation that CatholicChurch gets $100m from govt to “resettle illegal immigrants.” 1/28: Stephen Miller lied to CNN @jaketapper.bsky.social that Biden gave an agency “responsible for resettling illegal aliens” $3B.The lies went unchallenged.
January 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
1/26: VP Vance lied to @margaretbrennan.bsky.social #FaceTheNation that CatholicChurch gets $100m from govt to “resettle illegal immigrants.” 1/28: Stephen Miller lied to CNN @jaketapper.bsky.social that Biden gave an agency “responsible for resettling illegal aliens” $3B.The lies went unchallenged.
I am very proud of my faith community, especially as my government slams the door on ALL refugees and immigrants - documented and otherwise, and persecutes those who are already here.
religionnews.com/2025/01/27/i...
religionnews.com/2025/01/27/i...
In letter, Jewish groups urge Trump not to enact 'widespread persecution of immigrants'
(RNS) — 'Please do not enact policies that would turn places of solace into places of fear,' the letter reads.
religionnews.com
January 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I am very proud of my faith community, especially as my government slams the door on ALL refugees and immigrants - documented and otherwise, and persecutes those who are already here.
religionnews.com/2025/01/27/i...
religionnews.com/2025/01/27/i...
JD Vance accuses Catholic Church of being motivated by fin’l interests to protect funding to “resettle illegal immigrants” THEY ARE LEGALLY ADMITTED REFUGEES JD! www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
'Look in the mirror': Vance knocks Catholic organization for criticizing Trump immigration policy
JD Vance knocked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops after the group criticized some of Donald Trump's immigration policies.
www.usatoday.com
January 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
JD Vance accuses Catholic Church of being motivated by fin’l interests to protect funding to “resettle illegal immigrants” THEY ARE LEGALLY ADMITTED REFUGEES JD! www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Honored to have HIAS’ work honored by @raskin.house.gov but sad it happened the same week as Trump slammed the door on refugee resettlement - a safe and LEGAL immigration pathway for people fleeing persecution.
HIAS began when Jews coming to America were refugees from pogroms. Today it’s a Jewish charity helping to resettle other refugees fleeing political & religious violence. Our MD-08 Local Hero Mark Hetfield & his team at HIAS remember that all our families were once strangers.
Local Hero Video Series: Week 246 Feat. Mark Hetfield
YouTube video by Rep. Jamie Raskin
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Honored to have HIAS’ work honored by @raskin.house.gov but sad it happened the same week as Trump slammed the door on refugee resettlement - a safe and LEGAL immigration pathway for people fleeing persecution.
Reposted by Mark Hetfield
"We know that the accusations now lobbed against potential immigrants echo those once used to close the gates of the United States to Jewish and other unwanted immigrants"
truah.org/press/rabbis...
Rabbis Condemn President’s Executive Orders on Immigration | T'ruah
truah.org
January 23, 2025 at 11:07 PM
"We know that the accusations now lobbed against potential immigrants echo those once used to close the gates of the United States to Jewish and other unwanted immigrants"
truah.org/press/rabbis...
Reposted by Mark Hetfield
“America is at its best when we welcome refugees." - @mjhetfield.bsky.social
As President Trump takes office, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rights and safety of people seeking refuge, in the U.S. and around the world. Read our full statement:
As President Trump takes office, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rights and safety of people seeking refuge, in the U.S. and around the world. Read our full statement:
Standing With Refugees - HIAS Responds to Day One of the Trump Administration
On day one of his administration, President Trump chose to sign many executive orders which will cause grave harm to refugees, immigrants, and others seeking protection in the United States from aroun...
hias.org
January 21, 2025 at 2:25 AM
“America is at its best when we welcome refugees." - @mjhetfield.bsky.social
As President Trump takes office, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rights and safety of people seeking refuge, in the U.S. and around the world. Read our full statement:
As President Trump takes office, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the rights and safety of people seeking refuge, in the U.S. and around the world. Read our full statement:
Trump in Oval Office: “I’m fine with legal immigration.” But refugee resettlement - which he just suspended - IS LEGAL IMMIGRATION
January 21, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Trump in Oval Office: “I’m fine with legal immigration.” But refugee resettlement - which he just suspended - IS LEGAL IMMIGRATION
My blog post on whether Trump’s anticipated EO on refugees will, in the words of Marco Rubio, make America “safer, stronger or more prosperous.” Spoiler alert - the answer is “no.” hias.org/news/refugee...
Refugees Make America Stronger and More Prosperous
In the latest edition of Rising to the Moment, HIAS President Mark Hetfield makes the moral and practical case for welcoming refugees to the U.S.
hias.org
January 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
My blog post on whether Trump’s anticipated EO on refugees will, in the words of Marco Rubio, make America “safer, stronger or more prosperous.” Spoiler alert - the answer is “no.” hias.org/news/refugee...
Let’s start my first day on Blue Sky on a positive note in memory of MLK Jr - “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that…”Trying to remember that as we fight this nasty EO Trump is about to issue banning refugees…
January 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Let’s start my first day on Blue Sky on a positive note in memory of MLK Jr - “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that…”Trying to remember that as we fight this nasty EO Trump is about to issue banning refugees…