Melanie Nezer is HIAS’ Vice President, Policy & Advocacy. She directs HIAS’ Washington, DC office and leads HIAS’ education and advocacy on immigration, asylum, and refugee protection issues. Melanie also has served as HIAS’ Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy and, previously, as Migration Policy Counsel and Director of the Employment Visa Program, representing at-risk Jewish professionals and religious workers seeking to work in the U.S. during times of instability and crisis in their home countries. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx