The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, stop work orders and prolonged delays in reimbursement for resettlement agencies have had a devastating impact on tens of thousands of refugee families and communities across the country and around the world. Welcome to the latest edition of State of Play from Church World Service. This resource will provide regular updates from the CWS Policy Team on the current state of play; updated asks for national, state and local leaders; and the latest headlines and community resources. Subscribe now to receive daily updates on the latest developments and ways to support impacted communities.
State of Play |
Congressional leaders announce plan to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Yesterday, President Trump posted a statement on social media signaling support for the Senate’s approach to reopen DHS by funding all of the department except ICE and Border Patrol. He demanded Congress send him a second bill by June 1 to fund immigration enforcement through a separate vehicle: reconciliation, which bypasses the Senate filibuster and can pass without Democratic votes.
Hours later, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced their agreement to this plan. This morning, the DHS bill–without any additional dollars for ICE and Border Patrol–passed the Senate again during a pro forma session; it could pass the House on Monday. Republican leaders are now aiming to pass a reconciliation bill to fund immigration enforcement and border security “for the next three years.” Such a reconciliation bill would have thin margins in both chambers and have to make it through the notorious “Byrd bath” and “vote-a-rama” processes. This potential finale contradicts much of last week, when House Republicans railed against the Senate DHS bill and Speaker Johnson called it “a joke.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared victory, saying that Democrats “were clear from the start: fund critical security, protect Americans, and no blank check for reckless ICE and Border Patrol enforcement.” The deal, however, does not include any of the guardrails Democrats had sought.
Supreme Court casts doubt on President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. During oral arguments in Barbara v. Trump yesterday, the Supreme Court appeared inclined to uphold American citizenship for babies born in the United States. The justices expressed skepticism toward the Trump administration’s arguments–from its expansive attempt to target an entire class of noncitizens to the logistical challenges of adjudicating newborns’ citizenship status. They also dismissed the administration’s policy-related justifications, including claims that so-called birth tourism poses national security risks or that differing citizenship laws in Europe support Trump’s executive order.
After the hearing, ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang said, “I left the courtroom thinking about my parents and so many families who came here seeking refuge, opportunity, and the American way of life. We couldn’t be more confident that this unlawful, un-American executive order will be struck down.” Wang herself is a birthright citizen, born in Oregon to Taiwanese parents who were studying in the United States.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision at the end of June or beginning of July.
Death of Rohingya refugee ruled a homicide. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office announced yesterday that Nurul Amin Shah Alam died from “complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration,” and determined the manner of death to be homicide.
Shah Alam’s death sparked national outcry after Border Patrol left him at a closed coffee shop in Buffalo, New York without notifying his family. A visually impaired refugee unable to speak English, Shah Alam went missing for five days before his body was discovered miles away.
Responding to the ruling, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called his death a “failure of basic humanity.”
Judge requires Trump administration to allow religious leaders daily access to detained immigrants in Broadview facility during Holy Week. Beginning today through Sunday, April 5, ICE must permit clergy to enter the Broadview immigration detention facility to offer religious services to immigrants. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, which is challenging ICE’s refusal to allow religious leaders to offer Holy Communion and prayer to immigrants detained at Broadview.
Stories of Impact |
| Gabriela: “I live in Bogota as a refugee, and I urge you and your office to support refugees and encourage the Trump administration to fully restore the refugee resettlement program and resume admissions of the most at-risk refugees worldwide. I was accepted as a refugee in December 2023. We were very excitedly waiting for our travel date and underwent medical exams for the third time on January 19, 2025. We were informed that everything was ready to travel as soon as the exams were loaded, but the next day the ban came into effect. We lost our jobs, temporary documents and health insurance. We had to move since we had talked about handing over the house and selling our belongings, leaving our situation in Colombia in limbo. Our family members traveled, leaving our family separated.”
Samuel: “I am a refugee currently residing in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I am a father of three boys and two girls, and I am writing to express my deep concern about the safety and well-being of myself and my family. I was scheduled to travel to the United States under the refugee resettlement program, with my original flight set for 15th January 2025. Unfortunately, that flight was canceled and rescheduled for 29th January 2025, which did not materialize. Since then, our situation has worsened. My son and I have both been attacked. We are now living in constant fear and uncertainty, as we do not understand the motives of those who attacked us. This violence has left my family traumatized and vulnerable. Our lives are at risk, and we do not feel safe in the camp. I respectfully call upon you to urgently advocate for me and my family’s protection and resettlement. Refugees like us, living in the diaspora, continue to face life-threatening challenges, and without timely intervention, our safety cannot be guaranteed. I plead with you to intervene in this matter and assist in ensuring that my family and I can find safety and live with dignity.” Find more stories of impact here, and watch this space for new stories as they arise. Have a story to share? You can share it with us via this form for refugees overseas or this form for refugees, immigrants and service providers in the U.S. |
