Washington, D.C.—On March 31, Church World Service, alongside 24 other members of the Evacuate Our Allies coalition, delivered a letter to senior cabinet officials expressing grave concern over recent policy changes targeting Afghan nationals. The letter calls out the ongoing blanket halt in immigration benefits processing; the indiscriminate re-review and targeting of resettled Afghans; and the shuttering of humanitarian pathways …
CWS Virginia Applauds Passage of Key Legislation Ensuring Safeguards for All Virginians, Including Refugees and Immigrants
March 23, 2026
Harrisonburg, VA—Church World Service Virginia applauds the passage of key legislation in the Virginia General Assembly that will safeguard the well-being and future of all who call the Commonwealth home, including resettled refugees, asylees, and other immigrant populations. The Virginia House and Senate recently passed a number of bills that will end unlawful federal operations by ICE in the Commonwealth, …
Church World Service Strongly Condemns Plan to Arrest and Detain Resettled Refugees
February 19, 2026
Washington, D.C. – Church World Service unequivocally condemns the Trump administration’s most recent memo that could subject up to 100,000 resettled refugees to arrests and detention. Coming on the heels of the horrific and unlawful arrests of refugees under Operation PARRIS in Minnesota, this new guidance outlines plans for the arrest and custodial “inspection” of refugees who have lived in the U.S. …
This Ash Wednesday, CWS and Covenant Partners Rise Up for Refuge
February 18, 2026
In early 2025, as the new U.S. administration moved to close off legal immigration pathways and prepare for mass detention and deportation of refugees and immigrants, CWS and our Covenant Partners watched with growing alarm. In response, we united under the Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge—a bold, public commitment by faith communities nationwide to stand against policies that endanger refugees and immigrants. In the months that …
CWS Mourns a Life Lived for the Betterment of Others with the Passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson
February 17, 2026
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today joins with the nation in mourning at the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson. A man of faith, civil rights icon, and advocate for the underserved, Reverend Jackson leaves behind a world better than he found it. In response to Reverend Jackson’s passing, Rick Santos, president and CEO of Church World Service, issued the following statement: …
Court Order Blocks Operation PARRIS in Minnesota
January 30, 2026
Ruling Prevents Unlawful Targeting, Arrest and Detention of Legally Admitted Refugees in the State Washington, D.C.—On Wednesday, in Minnesota, a federal judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the Trump administration from carrying out arrests and detentions of legally admitted refugees in Minnesota under Operation PARRIS. The order will remain in place while litigation on the issue proceeds. The judge further ordered the rapid release of all refugees detained under Operation PARRIS in Minnesota as well as those transferred to Texas. More than 100 legally present refugees in Minnesota have been arrested and detained without being charged …
Following Tragic Killing of Alex Pretti at the Hands of Federal Officers, CWS mourns with Minneapolis, Demands Change and Accountability
January 25, 2026
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service expresses its horror and grief in response to the shooting and killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration enforcement officers on Saturday morning in Minneapolis. Pretti was an American citizen and Minnesotan who worked as a registered nurse in the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Pretti was shot and killed just 17 days after the killing of fellow …
CWS Begins 2026 by Welcoming New Members to Board of Directors
January 14, 2026
Karen Manczko, Luis Guardia, and Susannah Cunningham Join the CWS Board New York City—Church World Service today announced that it has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors, Karen Manczko, Director of Institutional Relationships at Wespath Institutional Investments and Wespath Benefits and Investments; Luis Guardia, Chief Financial Officer for the National Association of Counties and founder of Guardia Investors; …
CWS Responds to New Operation Reopening Cases of Resettled Refugees
January 13, 2026
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its deep concern over the Trump administration’s detaining of resettled refugees as part of a wider effort to review and potentially revoke their legal status. On January 9, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of Operation “Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening” or “PARRIS,” targeting resettled refugees who have fled violence and …
CWS Celebrates Reintroduction of the GRACE Act
December 18, 2025
Washington, D.C.—This International Migrants Day, Church World Service celebrates the reintroduction of the Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act, landmark legislation that would establish a minimum annual refugee admissions floor of 125,000. The legislation—introduced by Sen. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Lofgren (D-CA-18)—would prevent future administrations from slashing refugee admissions and would affirm the U.S. historic role as a beacon of hope for those most in need of protection …