Press Releases

Reported FY 2027 refugee ceiling abandons world’s most at-risk refugees  WASHINGTON, D.C.,—Today, Church World Service (CWS) expresses its profound alarm in response to reports that the Trump administration has proposed a Presidential Determination capping FY 2027 Refugee Admissions at 17,500. CWS calls for a more equitable, inclusive Refugee Admissions Program that will keep its promises to those left stranded in …

 “Collective Action for Women Refugee-Led Organizations” will collaborate with women refugee leaders, who are driving solutions despite limited access to critical resources.  NEW YORK CITY, September 23, 2026—Church World Service (CWS) today announced a new movement in partnership with Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to amplify women leadership in responding to the largest displacement crisis in history, “Collective Action for Women …

 Expiration of Federal Contract Leaves Vulnerable Children Facing Proceedings Alone   WASHINGTON, D.C., August 5, 2026—On Friday, July 31st, the Trump administration ended a critical federal contract with the Acacia Center for Justice providing legal services and representation to children who entered the United States without a parent or guardian. The decision dismantled a network of nearly 100 legal service providers, including Church World Service, and leaves over …

 CWS Urges Stronger Political Commitment to Protection of Refugees and Access to Asylum   WASHINGTON, D. C., JULY 28, 2026—As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention today, Church World Service (CWS), the international humanitarian and social justice organization, urges stronger political commitment to refugee protection and access to asylum. Seventy-five years after nations came together to establish a framework for protecting people fleeing …

Killing of Johan Sebastian occurred less than a week after Houston shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo  WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 14, 2026—Church World Service today expressed its condolences and a message of mourning and solidarity following another fatal ICE shooting, this time in Biddeford, Maine. The victim, Johan Sebastian, was a 26-year-old Colombian national with work authorization, and media reports assert …