Press Releases
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 …
CWS Deeply Alarmed by Trump Administration’s Expanded Travel Ban
Christopher Plummer | December 17, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service strongly opposes the Trump administration’s latest travel ban, which more than doubles the number of countries whose citizens are partially or fully blocked from the United States. This dramatic expansion of its previous travel ban now impacts nationals from 39 countries, barring individuals from 19 countries (plus those holding Palestinian Authority-issued documents) and partially excluding individuals from 20 additional countries. As …
Politicization of Vital Program for Allies should not be Response to Wanton Violence, Bloodshed
November 28, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Following this week’s violent attack on two members of the National Guard—leading to one death and the critical wounding of another—in our nation’s capitol, Church World Service condemns this reprehensible attack and all violence unequivocally. The perpetrator has since been identified as an Afghan national who served alongside the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, had been evacuated after the fall …
