Washington, D.C.—Ahead of Easter Sunday in celebration of the spirit of Easter, Rick Santos, President and CEO of Church World Service issued the following statement: This Easter we celebrate and remember the life of Jesus Christ and the hope of his resurrection. We are inspired to live in the promise of a renewed world and to join together with other …
Revoking Temporary Protected Status for our Neighbors from Afghanistan and Cameroon Betrays Our Values
April 11, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its deep concern over a report that the Trump administration intends to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 9,000 Afghans and 3,000 Cameroonians living in the United States. The decision will have dire consequences for Afghans and Cameroonians who have built lives, filled essential jobs, started businesses, and contributed to our communities. …
New Report Highlights How Executive Orders are Worsening Crisis in Haiti
April 4, 2025
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti—Today, Church World Service released a new report, “The Dismantling of the Inter-American Foundation: Haiti Rapid Assessment – March 2025.” The groundbreaking report shines a light on the impacts of Trump Administration policies on Haitian farmers, families, and internally displaced people. In addition to the closure of USAID and reduced funding to UN humanitarian operations, the executive order “Commencing the …
Trump Administration Blocked from Terminating Agreements with Refugee-Serving Agencies
March 25, 2025
A Federal Court in Seattle Issued Additional Preliminary Injunction in Case Challenging Refugee Ban Seattle, WA– Yesterday evening, a federal court in Seattle issued a second preliminary injunction in Pacito v. Trump, finding the government’s efforts to terminate its agreements with refugee-serving agencies to be unlawful. The government attempted to terminate these agreements just one day after the court’s previous order …
Revoking Lawful Status for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans in the United States is a Cruel Misstep
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its alarm over the Trump administration’s decision to categorically revoke the humanitarian parole status that granted over 530,000 Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) nationals living in the United States protection from deportation and work authorization. The blanket revocations, which are set to go into effect on April 24, will place hundreds of thousands …
Termination of Unaccompanied Children Programs Strips Vulnerable Kids of Legal Protection and Support
March 21, 2025
New York City – CWS today expressed alarm over the administration’s near-total termination of work on its Unaccompanied Children Program, halting legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. The organization notes that this executive action immediately strips thousands of children–including infants and young children–from legal representation, forcing them to now navigate and somehow represent themselves in immigration court proceedings. “No child …
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Renews Commitment with CWS as a Covenant Member
March 19, 2025
Washington, D.C.—CWS today announced that the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E. Zion) had committed to joining Church World Service as a Covenant Member. The A.M.E. Zion Church is the 15th faith-based organization to commit to Covenant Membership with CWS, together representing more than 10 million people of faith across the United States and Canada. CWS celebrates this partnership and …
By Invoking Alien Enemies Act of 1798, President Trump Brings Stains from America’s Past into the Present
March 16, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Today, Church World Service decries President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Last invoked during World War II, it remains a stain on our nation’s history, leading to the detainment of 31,000 Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants based solely on their ancestry. Church World Service calls on President Trump to rescind the invocation of the Act …
CWS Responds to U.S. Government Status Report in Pacito v. Trump
March 11, 2025
CWS Responds to U.S. Government Status Report in Pacito v. Trump Proposal to deny refugee resettlement contracts to long standing partners would strip refugee families of robust established support networks Washington, D.C.—CWS today noted deep concern following news that the Department of State is preparing to issue a request for proposals to identify a new singular service provider to provide …
Faith Communities Unite in Historic Declaration to Defend Refugees at Critical Crossroads for U.S. Policy
March 4, 2025
Washington, D.C.— In an unprecedented moment of moral reckoning, Church World Service (CWS) today issues The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation. With 45 initial signers—including CWS’ Covenant Members—this declaration is more than a statement, it is a solemn and unshakable commitment by religious leaders and organizations …