UPDATE: This letter has been sent to Secretary Rubio with 40+ Members of Congress urging the restart of the refugee resettlement program. Thank you for your advocacy! Check out more CWS Action Alerts here. Despite multiple court orders, the Trump administration’s refugee ban and funding freeze remain largely in place. Thousands of refugees have been left stranded abroad, often in …
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Urge the North Carolina General Assembly to Reject Anti-Immigrant Legislation and Instead Support Welcoming Policies
April 2, 2025
This week, advocates will travel from across North Carolina to the State Capitol in Raleigh to call on the North Carolina General Assembly to protect and strengthen immigrants, refugees, and the communities that welcome them. On April 3, community members will urge their elected officials to reject legislation that would target newcomers for detention and deportation and instead advance policies …
Myanmar Earthquake: The Urgent Need for Aid and the Role of CWS
Following the devastating earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand, which have left thousands dead and displaced millions, international aid has fallen short—especially as U.S. funding cuts hinder relief efforts. In response, CWS is working with local partners to provide emergency assistance, ensuring that affected communities receive critical aid despite global funding shortfalls. The Urgent Need for Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar On …
Faith in Action: How Religious Communities Have Historically United to Welcome Refugees
April 1, 2025
Throughout U.S. history, faith communities have been at the forefront of welcoming refugees. Across religious traditions, people of faith have worked together to respond to humanitarian crises, guided by shared values of compassion, justice and hospitality. Here are seven powerful examples of interfaith collaboration in welcoming refugees to the United States. Welcoming Refugees After World War II (1940s-1950s) In the …
Situation Report: Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake
Updated: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Situation: On Friday, March 28, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. In total, more than 3,800 people were killed (with estimates rising to 10,000) and more than 3,400 have been injured. Widespread damage has left 143,630 buildings beyond repair, including 1,600 houses, 670 monasteries and …
Beyond the Welcome Mat: The Cost of Real Inclusion
Stacey Clack | March 28, 2025
I was out for a walk yesterday and passed a house with a large “Welcome” sign on the front porch. I stood still, asking myself: I wonder if that welcome is meant for everyone? Or just for some? In America, we love the idea of welcome. We brand it, display it and post it everywhere. But who do we really …
Eid al-Fitr 2025: A Time for Reflection, Community and Joy
March 26, 2025
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is a time of celebration, worship and charity for Muslims worldwide. Observed with special prayers, gatherings and festive meals, this joyous occasion fosters a deep spiritual connection and community. As the month-long fasting period of Ramadan ends, Muslims around the world rejoice in the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, a time for celebration …
Trump Administration Blocked from Terminating Agreements with Refugee-Serving Agencies
March 25, 2025
A Federal Court in Seattle Issued Additional Preliminary Injunction in Case Challenging Refugee Ban Seattle, WA– Yesterday evening, a federal court in Seattle issued a second preliminary injunction in Pacito v. Trump, finding the government’s efforts to terminate its agreements with refugee-serving agencies to be unlawful. The government attempted to terminate these agreements just one day after the court’s previous order …
Revoking Lawful Status for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans in the United States is a Cruel Misstep
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today expressed its alarm over the Trump administration’s decision to categorically revoke the humanitarian parole status that granted over 530,000 Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) nationals living in the United States protection from deportation and work authorization. The blanket revocations, which are set to go into effect on April 24, will place hundreds of thousands …
Protect Immigrant Children: Tell Congress to Restore Vital Services and Push Back on Rapid Deportations
March 24, 2025
On March 21, the Trump administration issued, with immediate effect, a near-total termination of the Unaccompanied Children Program, which provides legal representation to thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children across the country, including infants. The termination forces unaccompanied children – among the most vulnerable individuals in our immigration system – to navigate and somehow represent themselves in immigration court proceedings. Some …