Washington, D.C.— Last week, in response to a court order requiring the Trump administration to reimburse frozen aid funding, the White House instead chose to terminate nearly 10,000 federal contracts, including those with agencies to resettle and welcome refugees. Church World Service unequivocally opposes these actions and expresses deep concern over the impact these decisions will have on the displaced, …
Court Ruling Refutes White House Executive Order on Refugee Resettlement with Preliminary Injunction
February 25, 2025
Seattle, WA—Today, three national and local faith-based refugee-serving agencies and nine individuals won a preliminary injunction in the case of Pacito v. Trump. The ruling came in the first lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) suspending the U.S. refugee resettlement program (USRAP), as well as the efforts by the Trump Administration to decimate USRAP by withholding critical, congressionally-appropriated funding …
Revoking Temporary Protected Status for Haitians Will Tear Apart Communities and Send Families Back to Danger
February 21, 2025
New York City–Church World Service today decries the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Haitians living in the United States. The decision – which goes into effect in August – will place Haitians who have found safety in and worked in our communities for decades at risk of deportation back to a country experiencing devastating …
CWS Challenges Suspension of Refugee Resettlement Program and Freeze of Refugee Funding
February 10, 2025
CWS Challenges Suspension of Refugee Resettlement Program and Freeze of Refugee Funding Lawsuit Was Filed in Federal District Court in Seattle on Behalf of Impacted Refugees and Faith Based Refugee-Serving Agencies (Seattle, WA) – Today, three national and local faith-based refugee-serving agencies and nine individuals filed Pacito v. Trump, the first lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) suspending the …
Executive Actions Target Refugees, Cut Off Access to Life-Saving Programs
February 4, 2025
CWS Furloughs Staff to Maintain Capacity to Serve Vulnerable Clients Washington, D.C.— CWS today expressed deep concern and alarm over the administration’s recent actions severely limiting the ability of the organization to continue to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to refugees and other vulnerable families. Since January 20th, the Trump Administration has taken action after action–including severely limiting access to federal …
Revoking Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans in U.S. Communities will have Dire Effects on Families, the Economy
February 3, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its deep concern over the Trump administration’s revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 300,000 Venezuelans living in the United States. The decision will have dire consequences for Venezuelans who have built lives, filled essential jobs, started businesses, and contributed to our communities. Once the termination is finalized, Venezuelans who received legal TPS status …
Halt of Foreign Assistance Funding is an Abdication of American Leadership and Values
January 25, 2025
Washington, D.C.—CWS today expressed alarm and disappointment in response to the abrupt and sweeping freeze of funding for U.S. foreign assistance, which will cause immediate harm to millions of people who are served by these vital programs around the world. This includes funding for critical services provided to refugees resettled to the United States, as well as humanitarian assistance for …
New Executive Actions Target Vulnerable Families, Ban Refugees and Harm People in Need of Protection
January 21, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed deep concern over a number of new executive orders from the Trump Administration reversing decades of precedent for welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution. This includes an executive order indefinitely suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), as well as multiple actions that will limit access to asylum protection for people seeking safety. …
Church World Service Marks the Inauguration of President Trump to his Second Term
January 20, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today marked the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the new President of the United States. The organization also honored the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of our democracy. CWS calls on the new administration, as well as Congressional, state and local leaders to honor our nation’s legacy of standing alongside refugee and …
CWS Celebrates Protections for Migrants from El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan—Calls for Continued Access to Safety
January 10, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today commends the Biden administration’s decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan. Secretary Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security announced an eighteen month extension for individuals in the U.S. from all four countries, potentially impacting over 900,000 people.CWS has long supported TPS designations for countries facing …