September is a critical month for advocacy in support of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and for all those who have been left stranded by the ongoing refugee ban. The federal fiscal year is ending. Before Fiscal Year 2026 begins on October 1, the administration is required to consult with Congress and establish a new target for refugee admissions for …
Take Action: Urge Your Members of Congress to Cosponsor the Neighbors Not Enemies Act and Prevent Future Human Rights Abuses
September 16, 2025
The Neighbors Not Enemies Act (S. 193/H.R. 630) would repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 (AEA), a wartime law that allows the president to deport noncitizens from an “enemy nation.” The law’s most infamous use was during World War II, when over 30,000 Japanese, Italian, and German immigrants were detained and interned. Decades later, Presidents Reagan and Clinton issued …
Starting Over: Anna’s Journey from Kherson to Confidence
September 15, 2025
The following blog was written by a program participant of CWS’s local Moldovan partner, Healthy City. Healthy City, also known as Zdorovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. My name is Anna Vasilevska, and I am 34 years old. I came from Ukraine, from the beautiful city of …
The Literacy Bridge: How Home Language Integration Fuels Academic and Emotional Growth
September 12, 2025
In Indiana, high school senior Krish Gajaria recently contacted CWS Indianapolis Office Director Terri Morris Downs about donating books to the unaccompanied children in our care through a nonprofit he founded, Pages for Progress, whose mission is to increase book accessibility for refugee children within underserved communities. Krish donated more than 200 books to unaccompanied to help them learn English …
Stories of Impact: Trump Refugee Ban and Funding Halt
September 11, 2025
The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban and funding halt have had a devastating impact on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, communities welcoming refugees across the country and tens of thousands of vulnerable refugee families stranded overseas and who have recently arrived in the United States. Below are some of the refugees and communities who have been impacted by recent Executive …
Situation Report: Afghanistan Earthquake
September 4, 2025
Situation: Between August 31-September 4, 2025, a series of earthquakes and aftershocks struck four provinces in Afghanistan. On Sunday, August 31, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar Province near the Pakistan border. Despite being moderate in magnitude, the earthquake caused extensive destruction. In total, the quakes have claimed over 2,200 lives, injured more than 3,000 and damaged over …
Legal Team for Stranded Refugees Urge Court to Resume Resettlement as Thousands Remain in Limbo
September 3, 2025
Advocates held press conference following Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals oral arguments in class action lawsuit challenging refugee ban (Pasadena, CA)—A panel of three judges from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday that the court should swiftly restore injunctions put in place by a district court in Seattle to process and admit certain refugees who were …
Launch of Ecumenical Statement on Hunger Justice is Unifying Commitment by Congregations, Leading National Faith Groups, and People of Faith
September 2, 2025
New initiative will strengthen social safety nets through practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ—through education, local and national advocacy, and volunteering Washington, D.C.—Today, in a bold move to protect and strengthen social safety nets by joining faith with action, Church World Service (CWS) issued the 2025 Ecumenical Statement on Hunger Justice. The Statement, which is a clarion call for people …
New DHS Rule Could Leave Survivors behind in the Wake of Disaster
August 29, 2025
Rule would prevent disaster response organizations from serving some survivors at the expense of all Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today denounced a new rule from the Department of Homeland Security that would harm survivors of disaster. Released just ahead of hurricane season, the rule would prevent disaster response organizations from accessing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds if they are …
The Rise of Global Hunger: From Scarcity to Solutions
The world is currently experiencing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. Conflict, climate extremes and poverty are among the primary drivers that have caused up to 319 million people across 67 countries to face chronic hunger. What causes global hunger? The world produces enough food to feed everyone on the planet. The issue isn’t supply—many of our global neighbors are …