Church World Service (CWS) denounces the Obama Administration’s recent announcement that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will deport Haitians seeking safety in the United States. As a 70-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the country, CWS urges the Administration to affirm the need for robust protections for these vulnerable …
CWS Applauds Expansion of Central American Refugee Protection Programs
July 26, 2016
Following months of advocacy efforts from Church World Service and partners to bring attention to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Central America, the Department of Homeland Security announced the expansion of programs to protect minors and individuals fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. As an international organization committed to advocating with those fleeing violence in the Northern Triangle and around …
Leading up to UN Secretary General and President Obama’s Summits on Refugees and Migrants, CWS Urges Action
July 18, 2016
On September 19, 2016, The United Nations General Assembly will, for the first time in history, hold a plenary meeting to address large movements of refugees and migrants. The next day, President Obama will bring together world leaders for a summit aimed to collectively realize a 30 percent increase in humanitarian aid; a doubling of global refugee resettlement and admissions …
CWS Strongly Supports The Refugee Protection Act of 2016 (S.3241/H.R.5851)
July 14, 2016
As a 70-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the United States, Church World Service (CWS) applauds the re-introduction of The Refugee Protection Act, and urges all members of Congress to cosponsor the bill. Refugee resettlement is a longstanding, life-saving American tradition that welcomes refugees who bring their innovative skills, …
CWS Welcomes Introduction of the “Secure the Northern Triangle Act” (S.3106/H.R.5850)
July 12, 2016
As a 70-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the United States, Church World Service (CWS) welcomes the introduction of “Secure the Northern Triangle Act” (S.3106/H.R.5850). CWS applauds the provisions affirming protections for refugees, asylum seekers, human trafficking victims, and other vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution and violence. This legislation recognizes …
CWS Denounces the Exploitation of Fear, Calls for Voices of Faith and Conscience
June 29, 2016
By Reverend John L. McCullough, President and CEO, Church World Service Recent world events have demonstrated a pressing need for people of faith and good will to make our voices heard. The majority of voters in the United Kingdom have voted to leave the European Union, unleashing a wave of hate crimes. Governors of U.S. states have attempted to block …
CWS Opposes the Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act (S.2441/H.R.4247)
May 13, 2016
As a 70-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the United States, Church World Service (CWS) urges all members of Congress to oppose the “Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act of 2016” (S.2441) and the “Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act of 2015” (H.R.4247). Both of these bills would deny important integration …
CWS Strongly Opposes H.R. 4731, “The Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act of 2016”
March 15, 2016
As a 70-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the United States, Church World Service (CWS) urges members of the House Judiciary Committee to oppose H.R. 4731, The Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act. Refugee resettlement is a longstanding, life-saving American tradition that has recently become unjustly maligned and politicized. In …
Religious community’s statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Clean Power Plan
February 18, 2016
We are disappointed by last week’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision to stay the implementation of the Clean Power Plan. As religious organizations, we are deeply concerned with protecting the health and well-being of vulnerable communities and God’s Creation. The Clean Power Plan was designed to allow states the greatest flexibility in implementation, while benefiting the health of all peoples by …
CWS applauds Senate vote blocking anti-immigrant legislation
October 20, 2015
WASHINGTON – Church World Service and its 37 member denominations and communions applaud the Senate’s vote against S. 2146, The “Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act”. Alongside dozens of religious, municipal and law enforcement groups, CWS opposed the legislation, citing concerns that it would punish localities for using proven community policing methods, criminalize immigrants, and promote racial profiling. “S. …