HIAS Chicago
“…From oppression to freedom. From darkness to light.”
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their countries of origin seeking refuge from desperate conditions. During these difficult times, people have looked to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) Chicago to be helped one by one, family by family. Since 1911, HIAS Chicago has been a leader in the community, assisting people through the immigration process. Through its caring, knowledgeable staff and proud partnership with Jewish Child & Family Services, HIAS Chicago helps Jewish people and others in need seek shelter in America.
HIAS Chicago offers a broad spectrum of pre-and post-migration services including providing assistant with consular authorities and U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, helping clients understand the U.S. immigration laws and procedures and locating long lost friends and family members. In addition, the program actively advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants on national, state and local levels and educates the public about the benefits immigrants bring to our community.
Working closely with national HIAS, a worldwide network of refugee assistance agencies and the affiliate agencies of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, HIAS Chicago assures the provision of a full range of refugee and immigrant services. Since its inception, volunteers have enriched our services including promoting refugee rights, assisting in a wide array of citizenship preparation services and providing location assistance.
HIAS Chicago maintains expanded access to its multi-lingual services in other convenient locations and hours at Jewish Family and Community Service offices in West Rogers Park, Buffalo Grove and Skokie. In each of these expanded locations, day and evening hours are offered to meet the needs of working families.
We Provide
Family-Based Immigration Services
If you have been admitted to the United States as a refugee or if you have been granted status in the United States as an asylee, within the previous two years and as the principal applicant, you may file a petition to seek to be reunited with your spouse and/or your unmarried children under twenty-one (21) years of age whether in or outside the United States. The staff of HIAS Chicago can assist you in determining whether your relatives meet the eligibility criteria for this type of processing and in filing the required petition.
I have my green card and want to bring my sister to live in the United States to escape from persecution.
An Affidavit of Relationship (AOR) provides a means for persons legally in the United States to request refugee processing for certain family members who have been persecuted in their native country. The specific family relationships and nationalities eligible for beginning the refugee process by filing the AOR vary from year to year according to United States Government priorities. HIAS Chicago staff is knowledgeable about who may file an AOR under current priorities.
In order to file an AOR, the U.S. relative must have legal, permanent status in the United States and must attach to the AOR copies of documents that prove that status. AORs must be prepared by a local agency participating in the Department of State’s refugee resettlement program and submitted by the agency’s national headquarters office. AORs submitted directly by a relative will not be accepted.
I just became a U.S. citizen and want to bring my mother here to live with me.
HIAS Chicago staff can assist a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to file a Petition for Alien Relative with the Immigration Service to establish the relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States.
If you are a citizen, you may file this form for:
1) Your husband, wife, or unmarried child under 21 years old.
2) Your unmarried son or daughter over 21, or married son or daughter of any age.
3) Your brother or sister if you are at least 21 years old.
4) Your parent if you are at least 21 years of age.
If you are a lawful permanent resident, you may file this form for:
1) Your husband or wife.
2) Your unmarried children of any age.
I came as a visitor to the U.S. but I am afraid to go back to my native country. It’s too dangerous.
Every year, thousands of people come to the United States in need of protection because they have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Those found eligible for asylum are permitted to remain in the United States.
HIAS Chicago staff can help those who feel they may be eligible for asylum to learn more about the criteria for this status, and can refer those who wish to pursue the process to attorneys who can assist them.
Green Card Assistance
HIAS Chicago strongly urges clients to adjust their status to permanent resident (green card holder) as soon as they are eligible to do so. Obtaining a “green card” or lawful permanent residency is the crucial first step that a refugee, parolee or asylee must take to ensure their rights and protection under U.S. law.
The green card is a very important immigration document that is used in the workplace and other institutions as proof of eligibility for employment, education, healthcare and access to public benefits. Lawful permanent residency is a mandatory prerequisite to U.S. citizenship.
HIAS Chicago staff will assist you in determining whether you meet the eligibility criteria and, if you do so, will assist you in completing the permanent residence application, translate all related documents and file your application in compliance with standards set forth by the Immigration Service.
Green Card Assistance
After being physically present in the U.S. for one year, a refugee can apply for “lawful permanent residency” (LPR). The processing period for a green card with the Immigration Service may take more than a year.
For Parolees
According to current U.S. law, individuals from the former Soviet Union who were paroled in the public interest into the U.S. after denial of refugee status, are eligible to apply for permanent residence (green card) one year after arrival in the U.S. The processing period for a green card for parolees with the Immigration Service may take several years. We encourage parolees to call HIAS Chicago so that we may assist you in applying for permanent residence.
For Asylees
An asylee is eligible to apply for permanent residence (green card) after being physically present in the U.S. for one year following the grant of Asylum. Asylees are encouraged to apply for adjustment of status at the earliest opportunity.
I am a U.S. citizen and have recently married a woman who is a native of another country. She is currently in the U.S. How can I help my new wife apply for a green card?
The spouse, parent, or unmarried child under age 21 of a U.S. citizen, who entered the U.S. legally, may be eligible to apply for permanent residence (i.e. for a green card) while staying in the U.S. The staff of HIAS Chicago will be able to help you to assess whether your relative is eligible, and to help you through the complex application procedure.
How do I remove the conditions on my residency based on marriage?
If you gained permanent residency status by marrying a U.S. citizen, and if you achieved this status before you had been married for two years, you were given your status on a “conditional” basis. You then must apply to remove this conditional status during the 90 days immediately before the second anniversary of the date you were given conditional resident status. If you do not do so, you will automatically lose your permanent resident status and may become deportable from the U.S.
HIAS Chicago can assist you and your spouse to apply to remove the conditions on your status. If you are no longer married, but you entered into the marriage in good faith, we can help you evaluate whether you are able to apply on your own.
Citizenship ASSISTANCE
Bilingual Telephone Hotline
The HIAS Chicago Citizenship Hotline offers a personal response to questions and concerns through individual telephone contact with a bilingual, culturally sensitive immigration caseworker. This hotline is especially valuable because the public is often unable to directly access information from the immigration service regarding its policies and procedures and may be unfamiliar with the impact of the immigration laws.
Citizenship Application Assistance
HIAS Chicago recommends that immigrants of all ages apply to become U.S. citizens as soon as they are eligible. Becoming a U.S. citizen provides you with the opportunity to fully participate in American life. With U.S. citizenship you may travel outside the U.S. with ease, bring immediate relatives to the U.S. to resettle, vote in local and national elections, access certain public benefits and apply for certain government jobs. U.S. citizenship is also the only absolute protection against deportation.
N-400 Application for Naturalization
To become a citizen you must be at least 18 years of age, be a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, be able to demonstrate that you can read, write, speak and understand English (or qualify for a waiver because of a documented medical disability), and be of good moral character.
HIAS Chicago’s application services are tailored to meet the needs of each age group and geographic location, providing access to professionally trained, bilingual staff throughout the community, who will assist you in evaluating your eligibility and in completing and processing the necessary documents for application.
N-600 Application for Citizenship Certificate
Children of naturalized parents, who were under the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ naturalization, automatically derive U.S. citizenship through their parents’ naturalization. HIAS Chicago recommends that in addition to obtaining a U.S. passport, each child of naturalized parents apply for a certificate of citizenship as permanent documentation of their citizenship status. HIAS Chicago can assist you in applying for a certificate of citizenship.
I applied for citizenship last month but I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare for my citizenship exam and interview.
Citizenship Preparation Assistance Self Study Materials
Each HIAS Chicago citizenship applicant is offered extensive self-study materials for the citizenship test and interview. A new citizenship preparation audiotape, “Preparing for Citizenship,” is now available incorporating both the English and civics testing materials as well as interview practice material, based on the N-400 application.
Small Group Classes
HIAS Chicago offers volunteer-led evening citizenship classes available in convenient suburban locations. Our eight-week evening classes attract working applicants who are interested in a more structured preparation experience than self study.
Daytime classes are tailored to the needs of seniors, and are offered at three convenient locations throughout the city and suburbs, including synagogues and senior residential buildings. Eight-week classes are taught in small groups to allow for more individualized attention and help to overcome language barriers. Particularly for the elderly learner, the small group offers a more interactive style, accommodating hearing and vision limitations and provides the opportunity for a more personal experience that fosters social bonds among students and between teachers and students.
In addition to helping you prepare for the test on U.S. civics and history and the written dictated sentence, all classes provide training for the INS interview. This part of the class includes a review of information on the citizenship application, including a practice interview at the end.
Individual Bilingual Intensive Tutorial Program
One-on-one home-based citizenship preparation assistance is available for those who are unable to participate in citizenship group classes. This 15-week intensive program pairs our frail, elderly and disabled clients with trained bilingual volunteers.
This long-term, intensive program fosters lasting relationships between students and tutors and, in addition to being highly successful in preparing the student to pass the citizenship test and interview, proves to be an extremely gratifying cross-cultural and cross-generational experience for all involved.
Mock Interview Program
Anyone applying for citizenship through HIAS Chicago may participate in a mock interview. A carefully trained volunteer will meet with you and conduct a practice interview, to allow you to go through the process in a formal, yet safe environment. You will then receive valuable feedback on your performance and have an opportunity to prepare further for the interview if necessary. Additional preparation and supportive services are provided and a second practice interview may be conducted. This program has proven to be extremely valuable to those interested in becoming more familiar with the citizenship test and interview process.
My mother has been a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for 5 years and is ready to apply for citizenship, but she had a stroke soon after she came to the United States, and has been unable to learn English. Is she still eligible to become a U.S. citizen?
Disability Waiver Assistance
Those applicants who are unable to learn or demonstrate knowledge of basic English and history and civics, due to a documented medical disability, may apply for a waiver of these citizenship requirements.
To address the needs of those who are a part of this high-risk population, HIAS Chicago offers clients and their family members guidance on their disability waiver applications, consultation between HIAS Chicago staff and their medical doctor about the immigration service criteria needed to be included in their waiver application, and a practice review of the contents and questions which may be posed to them at their citizenship exam.
My father is scheduled for his citizenship interview next month. HIAS Chicago helped him apply with a medical disability waiver for the English and civics requirement, but who can help him at this citizenship interview?
Interpreter Assistance at the Citizenship Interview
For those HIAS Chicago citizenship applicants who have applied for citizenship with a medical disability waiver, a HIAS Chicago citizenship staff member is available to accompany the client to their citizenship interview and provide interpreter services; and when necessary, to provide advocacy on behalf of the client with immigration citizenship staff and supervisors.
I applied for citizenship with the help of HIAS Chicago and passed my test and interview six months ago, but have not yet been scheduled for my oath. How can I find out what happened to my case?
Advocacy and Problem Solving with the Citizenship and Immigration Service
Through its strong, working relationship with the immigration service, HIAS Chicago assists its clients by formally inquiring about the status of their citizenship applications. In addition, HIAS Chicago advocates on behalf of clients to resolve problem situations during the application or interview process. This work involves regular written and phone contact with the local immigration Citizenship Office, or written inquiries to the Nebraska Processing Center.
In addition, HIAS Chicago, along with partnering community-based agencies, meets regularly with the immigration service to discuss overall issues as it relates to the processing and adjudication of benefits
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE
Assistance in applying for reparations from Germany
In the past several years, several new programs have been developed to compensate victims of the Holocaust for a variety of losses they experienced, including bank accounts, insurance policies, art and the loss of their labor without compensation. HIAS Chicago staff has stayed informed and involved with each of the programs as they have become active. We either provide direct assistance to individauls who are eligible to apply for new programs or make referrals to others when this is deemd necessary.
For a complete listing of programs available to Holocaust Survivors and more detailed explanation of the criteria for the programs mentioned above, visit www.claimscon.org.
HIAS Chicago staff can assist those who believe they are eligible for either of the following payments to complete the required applications, and guide them in gathering the required documentation of their suffering at the hands of the Nazis.
Claims Conference Hardship Fund–The Hardship Fund provides a one-time payment from the German government of DM 5,000 (5,000 Duetsche Marks) to Jewish victims of Nazi persecution who were previously unable to apply for compensation. In practice, the majority of those eligible for the Hardship Fund are Nazi victims from Eastern Europe who escaped advancing German armies.
To qualify for this payment, applicants must be either elderly (60 or over for women, 65 or over for men) or disabled. Previously, recipients were also required to have income below certain specified limits, but this financial criteria has recently been removed, Claims Conference Article 2 Fund – Under this program, eligible applicants receive monthly payments of DM 500 (500 Deutsche Marks) from the German government. Jewish victims of Nazi persecution are eligible for Article 2 payments if they were:
Community Support Services Through Holocaust Community Services
HIAS Chicago works as part of the coalition of Holocaust Community Services to fully enhance the lives of Holocaust Survivors. When appropriate, referrals are made to other members of the coalition team to provide help with home services, group or individual counseling or support or financial assistance.
Additional Resources
Finding Family: Location Assistance Service
The immigration process is often traumatic and disruptive. Families are separated, friends scattered and lines of communication severed. Recognizing the importance of helping long lost relatives and friends find one another, HIAS Chicago assists clients with local, national and international location searches.
A trained community volunteer under the supervision of the HIAS Administrator performs this service.
Advocacy on Behalf of Immigrants and Outreach to the Immigrant Community
HIAS Chicago works continuously to advocate on behalf of refugees and immigrants, both locally and nationally. The agency’s staff and Board of Directors are active participants in the Jewish Federation’s state and federal lobbying missions, representing refugee and immigrant issues.
In addition, HIAS Chicago is an active participant in local, state and national immigrant advocacy associations. The agency plays a key role representing immigration issues and the needs of our clients with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Chicago Commission of Consumer Rights, the National Immigration Forum, the Independent Monitoring Board for the INS, the SSI Coalition for a Responsible Safety Net and the local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
In addition, HIAS Chicago works diligently to maintain a professional and credible relationship with the Chicago District of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and its staff. These important liaisons help keep the communication channels open and allow for effective client advocacy and problem solving.
For our client community, HIAS Chicago provides community outreach on citizenship and immigration related information through periodic radio presentations that are provided on three Russian language radio stations, and through monthly calendars of HIAS Chicago events printed in 4 Russian language newspapers, as well as periodic columns, providing pertinent information regarding citizenship and other immigration matters.
Small group community meetings are conducted, as requested by the community or when pertinent immigration issues arise. Check our monthly calendar for current events in your community.
Scholarships
Due to the generosity of HIAS Chicago’s friends and supporters, since 1991 we have been able to provide academic scholarships to an extremely impressive group of young scholars who immigrated to the Chicago area with the assistance of HIAS Chicago. By recognizing the achievements of this ever-growing group, we are able to acknowledge the significant leadership and community contributions that are being made by immigrants to our community and to help these scholars to further prepare themselves to become our leaders of tomorrow.
These scholarships include:
- HIAS Chicago Benton-Bernstein Scholarships for those entering the helping professions
- Tilly Warshaw Scholarship for high school graduates
- The Max and Anna Warshofsky Scholarships
- The Michael Polsky Family Scholarship Fund for high school graduates and career enhancement.
Green Card Lottery
For each of the past several years, the United States government has awarded legal permanent residence (“Green Cards”) to 50,000 winners and their families who are chosen randomly from those who send applications to the U.S. State Department’s annual “Diversity Visa Lottery.”
The information required on a Lottery application, and the method of submitting one has changed over the years, but HIAS Chicago staff is kept informed of all these changes and are qualified to assist those who wish to make an application to the lottery for themselves, family, or friends.
Getting Involved with HIAS Chicago
Volunteering
The commitment and support of HIAS Chicago volunteers continues to be a mainstay of the agency’s citizenship preparation programs. Each year, HIAS Chicago’s corps of community volunteers provide approximately 2,000 hours of volunteer service through our programs. Assisting elderly and disabled clients prepare for citizenship has remained an integral role for our dedicated volunteer teachers and tutors, offering cross-cultural friendships and serving as role models for civic participation. In addition, our expanded mock interview program, now offered to clients of all ages, has afforded the opportunity for additional cultural exchange.
If you are interested in volunteering for HIAS Chicago, please contact our Volunteer Community Liaison at 312-357-4666, and we will find the right program for you.
Donate to HIAS Chicago
HIAS Chicago has been there for you and your loved ones in the past. Please help us to offer the same compassionate care for those who will need us in the future.
HIAS Chicago welcomes your donations to celebrate a special occasion, to remember an individual’s life, to offer kind words and a speedy recovering in times of sickness. A personal letter will be sent to each person acknowledging your generosity and your wishes. To make a donation, please call HIAS Chicago at 312-357-4666.
Giving to The HIAS Chicago Endowment Foundation
HIAS Chicago, with the help of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, created The HIAS Chicago Endowment Foundation. This Fund will help develop critically needed resources that will ensure HIAS Chicago’s ability to assist those in need.
There are many ways to make a charitable gift to the HIAS Chicago Endowment Foundation including making a gift now, creating an investment account that will provide you and/or your spouse with income during your lifetime and help sustain HIAS Chicago for years to come or leaving a bequest in your will.
