Passage of Flagship Trump Administration Bill Strips Support for those facing Scarcity, Imperils New Neighbors, and Creates Boundaries to Accessing Health Care and Due Process


July 3, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today decried the final passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation will harm American communities, especially those who are already facing scarcity. CWS—which has fought for the alleviation of hunger, poverty, and displacement for over 75 years—sees this Act as a clear infringement on access to health care, food security, children’s rights, and …

Church World Service Decries Senate Passage of “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act”


July 1, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Church World Service decries the U.S. Senate passage of H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” Among its plethora of policy and budget impacts, the bill includes attacks on refugees and unaccompanied children, and a massive boost in funding for ICE raids, family detention, and deportations, while simultaneously cutting long standing social safety net support for the neediest …

Church World Service Celebrates World Refugee Day, Calls for Return to Welcome, Presents Ecumenical Declaration with New Americans, Covenant Members, and Fellow Resettlement Agencies in Front of White House


June 20, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Today, on World Refugee Day, Church World Service, its fellow Covenant Members, refugee leaders, and partnering refugee agencies held a celebratory rally and march for action in front of the White House. As part of today’s event, Rick Santos, President and CEO of CWS, delivered the Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration—led by the organization and 13 Covenant Members, 600 churches …

Church World Service Marks Juneteenth, a Seminal Moment in Our Nation’s History


June 19, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Today, Church World Service marks Juneteenth through celebration and rededication to the spirit of the holiday. The United States is a nation that finds strength in its foundation of diversity. The organization is committed to honoring the legacy of all those who strove for equality in our nation, including the sacrifices and resilience of Black American leaders. In that …

CWS Reflects on the Promise of June, Renews its Commitment to Justice and Inclusion


June 11, 2025

Washington, D.C.—The month of June calls upon Americans to reflect on who we are – and what we hold dear. In celebrating PRIDE, Immigrant Heritage Month, Juneteenth and World Refugee Day, we are invited and compelled to recognize the complexity, strength, tension and beauty of what it means to be American.   This June, however, the stakes feel especially high. …

New Travel Ban, Impacting the Displaced from 19 Countries, is a Horrendous Mistake based on Discrimination


June 5, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today condemns the Trump administration’s proclamation that establishes a new travel ban for individuals from 19 countries. The ban includes sweeping travel restrictions for 12 countries, and partial restrictions for 7 other countries. The proclamation bans people, based on their nationality, from traveling to the United States with few narrow exceptions. The administration justifies this latest …

Church World Service Celebrates the Beginning of Pride Month


June 2, 2025

Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today marks the beginning of Pride by celebrating our LGBTQ+ neighbors and calling for equal protections under the law for all. The organization stresses that as the Trump administration eliminates protections for asylum-seekers and refugees, the global LGBTQ+ community will be particularly impacted. Many people who are displaced are persecuted, ostracized, or under threat simply for …

As First Group of Afrikaners Prepares to Travel to the United States, CWS Urges Administration to Comply with Court Order to Resettle All Eligible Refugees   


May 9, 2025

As First Group of Afrikaners Prepares to Travel to the United States, CWS Urges Administration to Comply with Court Order to Resettle All Eligible Refugees    New York City– CWS today expressed deep concern over news that the Trump Administration will soon admit Afrikaners and other racial minorities from South Africa to the United States as refugees, while simultaneously delaying …

U.S. Government Ordered to Comply with Court Orders in Refugee Ban Lawsuit or Face Sanctions


May 6, 2025

U.S. Government Ordered to Comply with Court Orders in Refugee Ban Lawsuit or Face Sanctions  Government Must Process Around 12,000 Refugees Stranded by Trump Administration   (Seattle, WA) – CWS, HIAS, LCSNW, and IRAP welcomed the compliance order issued yesterday in Pacito v. Trump, reaffirming that the government must process and provide resettlement support to refugees who were conditionally approved …

House Proposal of levying of fees on Immigrants would Harm the Vulnerable, Especially Children


May 2, 2025

Washington, D.C.—In response to a recent heinous proposal in the House of Representatives by Republican lawmakers, Christine Lemonda, Senior Director Children’s Services, issued the following statement “The proposal to levy massive fees on potential sponsors of unaccompanied children is nothing less than a policy of family separation. These kids are fleeing violence, persecution, and desperation and should be swiftly released …