HIAS, a Jewish American organization historically supported by the U.S. government to aid refugees fleeing conflict and persecution, is being forced to drastically scale back its operations
following a directive from President Donald Trump. The administration’s decision to halt refugee admissions and suspend most foreign aid spending has left humanitarian organizations in disarray.
Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, described the situation as "complete chaos," noting minimal communication from government officials regarding the changes. Trump’s executive order, issued on January 20, paused nearly all development assistance for 90 days and indefinitely suspended refugee resettlements, severely impacting faith-based organizations like HIAS that have long depended on federal funding to provide critical aid.
Founded in 1903 as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, HIAS has been a lifeline for refugees and displaced individuals, offering food, mental health support, and legal services. The organization assists approximately 1.4 million people worldwide each year and has played a significant role in resettling thousands of refugees—primarily in the United States. However, with funding abruptly cut, the future of these efforts remains uncertain. Photo by Jewish Community Bielsko Biala Poland, Wikimedia commons.