Liberal-leaning Jewish groups, along with 500 Jewish clergy, condemned the current election season characterized by xenophobia, fear, and lies. The statement released by HIAS, a Jewish immigration advocacy group, seemed to target Donald Trump’s rhetoric on immigration. With early voting already underway, the statement called for standing in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, urging all candidates to reject politics of hatred and fear.
American Jews have a history of advocating for immigrant rights, motivated by their own immigrant backgrounds. Major Jewish organizations have long supported immigration reform. Both Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris propose stricter immigration policies, with Trump focusing on deportation and Harris backing a bipartisan reform bill to curb border crossings.
The HIAS statement recommended repairing the asylum system, establishing humane border policies, and expanding pathways to legal entry and residency. Other signatories included prominent Jewish groups advocating for social justice, LGBTQ rights, and monitoring genocide.