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What makes someone a refugee? What evidence are we seeing of climate change? How does CWS respond when a disaster hits? Are we making progress in the fight against hunger?
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Explore the sections of our website below to find the answers to these questions, and many more.
Latest Updates
“We Lost the Hope That They Are Coming”: A Family Separated By Executive Orders
Wajdi Al-Mowafak, CWS’ Director of Finance Business Partners, was on the verge of reuniting with his parents in the United States when President Trump’s executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions upended their plans. Now, like thousands of others, his family is trapped in limbo, facing uncertainty as their dreams of safety and stability vanish overnight. On January 20, 2025, President …
CWS Challenges Suspension of Refugee Resettlement Program and Freeze of Refugee Funding
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 …
How Refugees Are Strengthening U.S. Communities
Refugees significantly give back to the communities that welcome them—starting businesses, paying taxes and contributing to the local economy. In fact, a Department of Health and Human Services Refugees study found that, over a fifteen-year period, refugees brought in $124 billion more in state and local revenue than they cost. Aside from the economic benefits to welcoming, newcomers also bring …
Mustafa and Randa’s Path to Love and a New Life
The story of Mustafa Albayati and his wife Randa is one of resilience, love and the transformative power of community. From their chance meeting in Iraq to building a life together in the United States, their journey has been marked by challenges, triumphs and unwavering hope. Here’s their inspiring story, told in Mustafa and Randa’s words. “I first met …
Executive Actions Target Refugees, Cut Off Access to Life-Saving Programs
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 …