What We Do
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?
And, most importantly: how can I help?
Explore the sections of our website below to find the answers to these questions, and many more.
Latest Updates
Deadly ICE Shooting in Maine Escalates Calls for Accountability and Independent Investigations
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 …
Fatal Shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston Continues Pattern of Violent ICE Immigration Enforcement Tactics
CWS Calls for Accountability WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2026 — Church World Service issued a statement today expressing its profound condolences to the family, loved ones, and neighbors mourning the loss of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston resident and father who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents on July 7 in the city’s East End. CWS joins the growing …
World Refugee Day 2026: Upholding Asylum and Protection
Today, CWS highlights the imperative to uphold global commitments to asylum and protection, while honoring the courage of the 41.6 million refugees around the world who have been forced to flee violence and persecution in search of safety.
10 Facts You Should Know About Refugees
Global displacement has reached historic levels, with millions of people forced from their homes each year. These ten key facts highlight essential information about refugees, the challenges they face and the valuable contributions they make—along with ways you can support them. More than 117 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and the chance to rebuild their …
CWS Urges Congress to Vote Down Budget That Includes $70 Billion Additional for ICE and CBP
Church World Service echoes the urgent need for guardrails and reform before increasing immigration enforcement spending Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today called on Congress to oppose the latest budget reconciliation bill that provides Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with 70 billion dollars. The bill includes zero common sense guardrails to rein in the agencies’ reckless behavior that has resulted in prolonged detention of children and families; warrantless arrests; enforcement actions at schools, …