New York City – CWS today expressed alarm over the administration’s near-total termination of work on its Unaccompanied Children Program, halting legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. The organization notes that this executive action immediately strips thousands of children–including infants and young children–from legal representation, forcing them to now navigate and somehow represent themselves in immigration court proceedings. “No child …
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Renews Commitment with CWS as a Covenant Member
March 19, 2025
Washington, D.C.—CWS today announced that the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E. Zion) had committed to joining Church World Service as a Covenant Member. The A.M.E. Zion Church is the 15th faith-based organization to commit to Covenant Membership with CWS, together representing more than 10 million people of faith across the United States and Canada. CWS celebrates this partnership and …
The Refugee Act of 1980: A Legacy at Risk
March 17, 2025
Today, March 17, 2025, marks the 45th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, a landmark piece of legislation that solidified the United States’ leadership in refugee protection. For decades, this legislation has upheld our nation’s commitment to welcoming those in need, providing a vital pathway to safety for the world’s most vulnerable. However, recent executive orders from the Trump …
By Invoking Alien Enemies Act of 1798, President Trump Brings Stains from America’s Past into the Present
March 16, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Today, Church World Service decries President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Last invoked during World War II, it remains a stain on our nation’s history, leading to the detainment of 31,000 Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants based solely on their ancestry. Church World Service calls on President Trump to rescind the invocation of the Act …
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Urge Congress to Restore Refugee Resettlement and Asylum Access as the Refugee Act Turns 45
March 14, 2025
March 17, 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the day President Jimmy Carter signed the Refugee Act of 1980, enshrining in law a framework for refugee resettlement and the protection of asylum seekers. The Trump administration’s indefinite pause on refugee resettlement and freeze on reimbursements to refugee service providers remain largely in place, and access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico …
Measuring Impact: How Disaster Prevention Projects Are Changing Afghan Communities
Murakami Kotomi | March 12, 2025
Murakami Kotomi, a CWS Japan intern, recently interviewed participants in the “Enhancing Resilience of Afghanistan through Integrated Risk Reduction” project. This blog features her interviews with local community members about the impacts that the project has had in supporting disaster risk reduction efforts in Afghanistan. Impacts of Disaster Risk Reduction Projects Disasters can upend lives in an instant, but proactive …
Bringing Cultures Together: A Hands-On Tunisian Cooking Experience in Okubo
Nozomi Igarashi |
In January, CWS Japan hosted a hands-on Tunisian chapati cooking class, bringing together newcomers and local residents for a shared cultural experience. Through events like these, the cafe fosters deeper connections, promotes cross-cultural understanding and creates a welcoming space where the community can engage and learn from one another. The new year has arrived, and a month has flown by …
One Year After the Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Supporting the Most Vulnerable in Disasters
Yukiko Maki |
One year after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, CWS Japan reflects on its efforts to support disaster-affected communities. By fostering local partnerships, CWS Japan continues to address the long-term challenges of disaster recovery while working to build a more resilient and inclusive emergency response system. The CWS Japan team spent the New Year praying that no large-scale disasters would occur—in fact, …
Learning, Playing and Growing Together: A Multicultural Exchange in Okubo
Nozomi Igarashi |
In November, CWS Japan hosted several events, including a disaster risk reduction walk to inform Japanese language school students about local disaster preparedness resources and storytelling sessions. Through events like these, the cafe fosters deeper connections, promotes cross-cultural understanding and creates a welcoming space where the community can engage and learn from one another. CWS Japan recently opened a café—the …
Building Resilience: Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction in Afghanistan
Takeshi Komino |
CWS Japan works alongside communities in Afghanistan who are most impacted and at risk for disasters. Below, Takeshi Komino, CWS Country Representative for Japan, shares information about the project and future efforts for the CWS Japan team. Afghanistan is a country that has been hit by disasters such as floods and earthquakes many times. As political instability continues, protecting lives …
