Church World Service, a humanitarian organization comprised of 37 member communions, strongly opposes The Protection of Children Act introduced by Representative John Carter (R-TX-31) and The Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT 3) and Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA 6). These bills would narrow protections for children fleeing violence and would result in many being …
CWS Statement on the Immigration Rule of Law Act
February 27, 2015
Dear Members of the United States Senate: As a humanitarian agency that brings together 37 member communions, Church World Service seeks to fulfill the call to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger by protecting refugees internationally and advocating for just immigration policies here in the United States. This is why we write to you today, urging you to oppose …
‘Reckless court decision on immigration will not stand’
February 17, 2015
WASHINGTON – Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of Church World Service, issued the following statement in response to the federal court ruling in Brownsville, Texas: “A lone judge in one state does not speak for the vast majority of Americans who support our nation’s immigrant families and support the President’s broad constitutional authority to offer temporary relief from deportation to close …
Joint Statement on a New Era in U.S.-Cuban Relations
December 18, 2014
Council of Churches of Cuba Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico and U.S. Religious Leaders Delegation Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO, Church World Service Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Rabbi Elhanan ‘Sunny’ Schnitzer, President, Cuba America Jewish Mission PEOPLE OF FAITH throughout the United States and Cuba celebrate the dawn of a new …
Statement on the Cuban Five and Alan Gross
November 4, 2014
Statement issued by: Joint delegation of American Religious Leaders and Cuban Council of Churches Location: Headquarters, Cuban Council of Churches Havana, Cuba November 4, 2014 Today November 4th, a united call was issued for the humanitarian release of the Cuban 5 and the American Alan Gross. The call was issued by the Cuban Council of Churches, the Rev. John McCullough …
CWS Issues Statement on Israel-Palestine Conflict
July 23, 2014
As a faith-based agency working around the world to eliminate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice, Church World Service expresses profound sorrow at the military operations taking place in the Israel – Palestine conflict. We condemn both Hamas militants’ practice of firing rockets into Israel, and Israel’s bombardment of homes, hospitals and other civilian centers in Gaza. Military …
U.S. Must Ensure Protection of Unaccompanied Children
July 3, 2014
Church World Service (CWS), a 67-year-old humanitarian organization, urges the U.S. government to address the needs of unaccompanied children seeking safety in the United States by prioritizing their wellbeing and ensuring access to lifesaving protection. To uphold our legal and moral responsibilities, the Administration and Congress must provide an urgent increase in funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) …
CWS Statement on Pearce-O’Rourke Bill
April 9, 2014
Church World Service (CWS) welcomes Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s (D-TX) recent introduction of the bipartisan Border Enforcement, Accountability, Oversight, and Community Engagement Act, H.R. 4303. This legislation responds to the needs of border communities by increasing transparency, opportunities for community input, and training for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. H.R. 4303 is an important step …
CWS Statement on Discharge Petition
March 26, 2014
Church World Service applauds Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for filing a discharge petition to bring immigration reform to the floor of the House for a vote. This move signals a strong commitment to reform and a refusal to allow our legislative process be held hostage by a minority of representatives who are disregarding public demand for action on just and …
CWS Statement on House of Representatives’ Anti-Immigrant Legislation
March 20, 2014
Church World Service (CWS) is strongly opposed to two anti-immigrant bills recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 4138, The Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of the Law Act (ENFORCE Act) and H.R. 3973, The Faithful Execution of the Law Act both passed the House of Representatives last week. While neither piece of legislation …