Blog

August 21, 2026

Two months after powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela, thousands of families are still living with uncertainty. While the buildings that collapsed captured immediate attention, many of the toughest questions now surround the structures that remain standing. Support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the United Church of Christ’s Global HOPE and Church World Service (CWS) helps engineers from …

August 19, 2026

Editor’s Note: No editions next week. The next State of Play will be in your inbox on Monday, August 31. The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, stop work orders and prolonged delays in reimbursement for resettlement agencies have had a devastating impact on tens of thousands of refugee families and communities across the country and around the world. Welcome to …

Johanna Babb | July 29, 2026

Almost 20 years ago, I stood as a young lawyer before a judge for the first and only time in my career. Contract law was my comfort zone, not the courtroom. But the pro bono immigration case I had spent years preparing had reached its decisive moment. That day would determine whether my client, Jean Batiste, a husband and father …

Christopher Plummer | April 8, 2026

Trigger warning: This blog mentions instances of sexual abuse. CWS Marks April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month:   Immigrant children come to the United States fleeing danger, not in search of it. They have done it alone, walking thousands of miles, and they have done it cradled in a parent’s arms. For many of those fortunate to make it to …

April 1, 2026

Refugee Housing Solutions partners with landlords and communities to expand safe, affordable housing for refugees and newcomers, strengthening stability and belonging for families rebuilding their lives in the United States.  Finding a safe place to call home is one of the very first steps for any family restarting their lives in a new country. For refugees and other newcomers arriving …