HIAS Pennsylvania
HIAS Pennsylvania is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1882, that provides free immigration legal representation and social services to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers across Pennsylvania through DOJ-accredited attorneys and a large volunteer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1882
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HIAS Pennsylvania does
HIAS Pennsylvania (legally "HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1882 and headquartered at 123 South Broad Street, Suite 950, Philadelphia, PA. It provides free immigration legal representation and social services to low-income immigrants and refugees in Pennsylvania, with eligibility limited to households earning below 187.5% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. The organization was originally established as the Association for the Protection of Jewish Immigrants, merged in 1945 with the local branch of the National Council of Jewish Women, and progressively broadened its mission to serve refugees and immigrants of all backgrounds beginning in 1979. HIAS Pennsylvania is a separate entity from HIAS Inc. (the national organization), but serves as an official resettlement partner that administers the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program locally.
The organization's service portfolio spans general immigration legal representation (asylum, removal defense, citizenship/naturalization, family reunification, work authorization) plus specialized practice areas: the Immigrant Youth Advocacy Program, Asylee Services, Survivors of Torture Program, services for victims of domestic violence and trafficking, and crisis-driven programs for Afghan evacuees, Haitian TPS holders, and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees. All services are delivered by DOJ-accredited representatives and attorneys. Client reach in FY2024-2025 was 4,713 clients receiving 7,672 legal services across 128 countries of origin, supported by a 914-volunteer network contributing 27,097 hours annually. The organization maintains a Better Impact-powered volunteer portal and distributes multilingual Know Your Rights resources in over 20 languages.
Revenue derives from two primary streams: donations and charitable contributions (one-time, recurring, legacy/bequest giving, in-kind) and government grants and contracts for refugee resettlement. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization is currently undergoing material restructuring due to significant federal funding cuts to refugee-resettlement programs under the Trump administration, which are compressing the refugee resettlement portion of its operating model even as general immigration legal services demand remains strong.
HIAS Pennsylvania firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HIAS Pennsylvania
- Legal name
- HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia
- Website
- https://hiaspa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1882
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- HIAS Pennsylvania is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1882, that provides free immigration legal representation and social services to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers across Pennsylvania through DOJ-accredited attorneys and a large volunteer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HIAS Pennsylvania industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Immigration Legal Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated) (EDAAADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)
Keywords
Where HIAS Pennsylvania is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HIAS Pennsylvania business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization receives donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID: 23-1405597). The website promotes various donation options including one-time donations, monthly giving, legacy bequests (Emma Lazarus Fund), and in-kind donations.
- Government Grants and Contracts: As a refugee resettlement partner, HIAS Pennsylvania receives government funding for refugee resettlement programs. The organization has been affected by federal funding cuts to refugee-resettlement programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free legal services for eligible low-income immigrants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
HIAS Pennsylvania product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HIAS Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free immigration legal representation and social services to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the Greater Philadelphia region. Core offerings include legal representation in asylum cases, removal proceedings, citizenship applications, family reunification, and work authorization, delivered through scheduled in-person and phone-based intake. The organization supplements legal services with refugee resettlement case management, specialized programs for unaccompanied minors and survivors of torture, country-specific humanitarian assistance, and multilingual Know Your Rights community education.
Product overview
HIAS Pennsylvania operates as a single unified service offering — a comprehensive immigration legal services nonprofit — organized around distinct practice areas rather than a modular product architecture. The core offering consists of general immigration legal representation accessible through an intake system, supplemented by specialized services targeting specific vulnerable populations: Immigrant Youth Advocacy, Asylee Services, Survivor of Torture support, and domestic violence/crime victim services. Geographic/country-specific programs address Afghan evacuees, Haitian immigrants, and Ukrainian refugees. Cross-cutting offerings include Know Your Rights multilingual training, a volunteer management portal, and USCIS information resources. All services are delivered by DOJ-accredited representatives and attorneys, primarily serving low-income clients in Pennsylvania.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Immigration Legal Services Comprehensive immigration legal representation and assistance for low-income immigrants, including asylum applications, removal proceedings defense, family reunification, work authorization, and citizenship preparation. Provided free of charge to eligible clients.
- Know Your Rights Training Multilingual educational sessions and resources that inform immigrants of their legal rights when interacting with law enforcement or immigration officials, offered in over 20 languages and delivered through community outreach.
- Immigrant Youth Advocacy Program Free legal representation for immigrant youth including those in foster care, unaccompanied minors, youth facing deportation, and survivors of human trafficking, covering Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and asylum claims.
- Afghan Evacuee Services Specialized resettlement and legal support for Afghan evacuees who arrived after the Taliban takeover in 2021, including asylum applications and family reunification assistance.
- Haitian Immigrant Relief Program Emergency case management and immigration legal assistance for low-income Haitians in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Temporary Protected Status applications.
- Ukraine Immigration Assistance Immigration legal services and support for Ukrainians seeking to enter or remain in the United States through humanitarian parole and related programs.
- Asylee Services Legal services for individuals who have been granted asylum, including assistance with adjusting status, obtaining work authorization, and family reunification.
- Survivors of Torture Program Specialized legal services and support for immigrants who have survived torture, providing pathways to safety and legal status.
- Refugee Resettlement Services Full-service refugee resettlement case management including housing coordination, case management, and integration support for newly arrived refugees in Philadelphia.
Quantifiable outcome
- Served 4,713 clients and provided 7,672 legal services in 2024-2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HIAS Pennsylvania
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HIAS Pennsylvania technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
HIAS Pennsylvania partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- HIAS Inc. (National)coreHIAS Pennsylvania is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit from HIAS Inc. the national organization. HIAS PA serves as a resettlement partner of HIAS Inc., which acts as an intermediary between the U.S. government and local organizations to administer the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
- Community Justice ProjectcoreCollaborative partner in developing Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources, working with leading immigrant advocacy organizations.
- Church World Service LancastercoreCollaborative partner in developing Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources.
- Justice at WorkcoreCollaborative partner in developing Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources.
- Esperanza Immigration Legal ServicescoreCollaborative partner in developing Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources.
- Nationalities Service CentercoreCollaborative partner in developing Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources.
- Nationalities Service CentermajorLocal immigration legal services provider; listed as a partner for immigration legal services and refugee resettlement referrals.
- Catholic Social ServicesmajorLocal partner for immigration legal services referrals in the Philadelphia area.
- Esperanza Immigration Legal ServicesmajorLocal partner for immigration legal services referrals.
- Pennsylvania Immigration Resource CentermajorStatewide partner for immigration legal services referrals.
- Justice at WorkmajorLocal partner for immigration legal services referrals.
- Jewish Children and Family ServicesmajorPartner agency in resettling Southeast Asian refugees in the 1980s; jointly resettled over 2,000 refugees.
- Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP)minorGerman organization created after WWII that connects volunteers with service organizations. HIAS Pennsylvania has hosted fellows from ARSP.
- National Council of Jewish WomenmajorMerged with local NCJW branch in 1945 to help Holocaust victims resettle, forming HIAS and Council Migration Service.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HIAS Pennsylvania competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nationalities Service Center: Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and social services to immigrants and refugees. Direct peer operating in the same geographic market with overlapping service lines and joint referral relationships.
- Esperanza Immigration Legal Services: Philadelphia-based immigration legal services program affiliated with Esperanza, providing low-cost and free legal representation for immigrants. Direct peer in legal services and a current HIAS PA referral partner.
- Justice at Work: Philadelphia-based legal services organization serving low-wage workers, including immigrant workers, with employment-related legal representation. Direct peer in free legal services for immigrant populations and an active referral partner.
- Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia: Provides immigration legal services and refugee resettlement in the Philadelphia region, with overlapping DOJ-accredited representation mandate and referral relationship with HIAS PA.
- Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC): Statewide Pennsylvania nonprofit providing immigration legal services, with a particular focus on detained immigrants and language access. Direct statewide peer operating in the same legal services category.
Broad incumbents
- Church World Service: National refugee resettlement agency with a Lancaster, PA office that co-developed Pennsylvania Know Your Rights resources with HIAS PA. Provides overlapping refugee resettlement and immigration services at greater scale.
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Global humanitarian organization delivering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration support across multiple U.S. cities. Comparable in model and scope though operating at substantially larger scale.
- HIAS Inc. The national Jewish refugee resettlement agency that administers the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and of which HIAS Pennsylvania is a resettlement affiliate. Functions as a federal contracting intermediary and standards-setter for the affiliate network.
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): National faith-based refugee resettlement and immigration services agency. Comparable in mission and federal refugee resettlement contracting model, operating across multiple states.
Emerging players
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): National nonprofit providing pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant children. Partial overlap with HIAS PA's Immigrant Youth Advocacy Program, focused on the same vulnerable population but at national scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HIAS Pennsylvania social profiles
Digital presenceHIAS Pennsylvania financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HIAS Pennsylvania leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
HIAS Pennsylvania funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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HIAS Pennsylvania M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about HIAS Pennsylvania
What does HIAS Pennsylvania do?
HIAS Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free immigration legal representation and social services to low-income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the Greater Philadelphia region. Core offerings include legal representation in asylum cases, removal proceedings, citizenship applications, family reunification, and work authorization, delivered through scheduled in-person and phone-based intake. The organization supplements legal services with refugee resettlement case management, specialized programs for unaccompanied minors and survivors of torture, country-specific humanitarian assistance, and multilingual Know Your Rights community education.
Is HIAS Pennsylvania a public or private company?
HIAS Pennsylvania is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HIAS Pennsylvania founded?
HIAS Pennsylvania was founded in 1882. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is HIAS Pennsylvania based?
HIAS Pennsylvania is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does HIAS Pennsylvania make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts.
Who are HIAS Pennsylvania's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nationalities Service Center, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services, Justice at Work, Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC). Broad incumbents are Church World Service, International Rescue Committee (IRC), HIAS Inc. and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is listed as an emerging player.
Does HIAS Pennsylvania have an API?
No public API is recorded for HIAS Pennsylvania.
What industry is HIAS Pennsylvania in?
HIAS Pennsylvania's product category is Immigration Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAADAC, English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated), with a secondary code of EDAMAFAK, Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated). Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8111.