On September 30, 2023, Congress failed to update legislation (as it had done previously in 2022) to extend authorization for newly-arriving Afghan humanitarian parolees to access key refugee services and mainstream benefits. Even as benefits were retroactively restored to arriving Ukrainian parolees in an April 2024 supplemental funding package, Congress failed to include the same fix for Afghans. As thousands …
FY25 CWS Appropriations Request for Housing Refugees and Other Newcomers
July 18, 2024
Refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and other newcomers deserve fair and just access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. But today’s housing market reveals deep-rooted inequities and a dearth of housing support, development and market availability, and affordability for renters and homeowners. Studies show that the United States has a shortage of 7.3 million affordable homes, a figure that has increased …
CWS Public Comment on the “Securing the Border” Interim Final Rule
July 8, 2024
Church World Service Comment on the Department of Justice and Homeland Security’s Interim Final Rule on Securing the Border; Docket No: USCIS-2024-0006 Church World Service (CWS) submits this comment in response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) interim final rule on Securing the Border (“IFR”), which has …
Church World Service Public Comment On Temporary Final Rule Regarding Work Permit Automatic Eligibility Extension Periods
June 7, 2024
Church World Service respectfully submits the following comment in response to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) request for comment on the Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Renewal Applicants, 89 Fed. Reg. 24628 (Apr. 8, 2024) (to be codified at 8 C.F.R. pt. 274a) (DHS Docket …
Asylum Seeker Work Authorization: Comparing Legislation to Improve and Expand Access
September 6, 2023
Among the most significant challenges facing arriving asylum seekers – and the communities that welcome them – is the ability to access employment authorization. Asylum seekers and other new arrivals in the U.S. need employment authorization documents (EADs) so they can become self-sufficient, lawfully support themselves and their families, and contribute economically to their new communities. In the midst of …
Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)
March 24, 2022
Recommendations to Strengthen Refugee Resettlement in the United States Click here to read the recommendations: The need for long-term protections for refugees has never been greater. The world is facing record displacement figures of more than 84 million people forced from their homes with enormous refugee overseas assistance needs. Of those, there are more than 31 million refugees, 1.5 million …
CWS Statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration & Citizenship hearing “The Essential Role of Immigrant Workers in America”
May 12, 2021
To download this statement, please click here. Wednesday, May 12, 2021 As a 75-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 24 refugee resettlement offices across 17 states, Church World Service (CWS) urges the Subcommittee to affirm the value and dignity of immigrants and refugees as essential workers and affirm the need for a compassionate and …
Letter: CMDP to Biden March 2021
March 30, 2021
Read the full letter CWS joined with 8 other organizations to send a letter to the Biden administration setting an agenda for how the administration should approach its report on policy options to address climate change and forced migration, as called for in a February EO from President Biden. The report is due to the president on August 3.
Refugee Advocates Call on Congress to Restore the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
February 13, 2019
Dear Honorable Members of The 116th Congress: Over the past two years, the administration has made drastic changes to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), resulting in human tragedy and long-term damage to the United States’ ability to respond to displacement crises. We urge Members of Congress to utilize their oversight authority to protect and rebuild the USRAP so that …
CWS Public Comment Opposing “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” (DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012) to Expand Definition of “Public Charge”
October 10, 2018
CWS Public Comment Opposing “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds” (DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012) to Expand Definition of “Public Charge” As a 72-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions, Church World Service (CWS) stands firmly opposed to this rule. Current law established by Congress already bars immigrants from accessing most benefits and who may become a …