Among the most significant challenges facing arriving asylum seekers – and the communities that welcome them – is the ability to access employment authorization. Asylum seekers and other new arrivals in the U.S. need employment authorization documents (EADs) so they can become self-sufficient, lawfully support themselves and their families, and contribute economically to their new communities. In the midst of …
Bill Summary: The Real ID Eligibility (RIDE) for Ukraine Act
August 14, 2023
On May 11th, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) introduced the bipartisan REAL ID Eligibility (RIDE) For Ukraine Act (H.R. 3259), which would grant REAL ID-eligibility to Ukrainians in the U.S. who meet certain requirements. The bill would provide many Ukrainians who have fled the Russian invasion with crucial access to driver’s licenses and State IDs, documents …
The Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Refugee and Entrant Assistance Account
July 24, 2023
Persecution and conflict have forced a record number of people to flee their homes around the world. Here in the United States, communities have opened their doors to those who have been displaced, including refugees who have arrived after long and often dangerous waits in resettlement camps and life-threatening situations; Afghans who were at risk due to their work in …
Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)
March 24, 2022
Recommendations to Strengthen Refugee Resettlement in the United States Click here to read the recommendations: The need for long-term protections for refugees has never been greater. The world is facing record displacement figures of more than 84 million people forced from their homes with enormous refugee overseas assistance needs. Of those, there are more than 31 million refugees, 1.5 million …
CWS Statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration & Citizenship hearing “The Essential Role of Immigrant Workers in America”
May 12, 2021
To download this statement, please click here. Wednesday, May 12, 2021 As a 75-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 24 refugee resettlement offices across 17 states, Church World Service (CWS) urges the Subcommittee to affirm the value and dignity of immigrants and refugees as essential workers and affirm the need for a compassionate and …
Letter: CMDP to Biden March 2021
March 30, 2021
Read the full letter CWS joined with 8 other organizations to send a letter to the Biden administration setting an agenda for how the administration should approach its report on policy options to address climate change and forced migration, as called for in a February EO from President Biden. The report is due to the president on August 3.
Letter: CWS Joins Faith Based Organizations Calling on Biden to Reinstate Diplomatic Relations with Cuba
February 18, 2021
Dear Mr. President: As religious institutions and faith-based humanitarian aid organizations, many of us with long-standing ties to Cuban faith communities and people, we greatly appreciate your pledge “to reverse the failed Trump policies that inflicted harm on Cubans and their families.” We advocated for and strongly supported the Obama Administration’s groundbreaking U.S.-Cuba policy changes. While our two governments have …
CWS Statement to the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration & Citizenship, pertaining to its hearing entitled “The U.S. Immigration System: The Need for Bold Reforms ” on Thursday, February 11, 2020
February 9, 2021
CWS Statement to the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration & Citizenship, pertaining to its hearing entitled “The U.S. Immigration System: The Need for Bold Reforms ” on Thursday, February 11, 2020 As a 75-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions and 24 refugee resettlement offices across 17 states, Church World Service (CWS) urges the …
CWS Statement to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary pertaining to its hearing, entitled “Protecting Dreamers and TPS Recipients” on Wednesday, March 6, 2019
March 5, 2019
As a 73-year old humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions and 23 refugee resettlement offices across the country, Church World Service (CWS) urges the Committee to affirm the need and urgency to pass a permanent, legislative solution for all 1.8 million+ dreamers, 300,000+ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and 4,000+ Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients that includes …
Interfaith Letter to Congress on Passing A Permanent Legislative Solution to Protect Dreamers, and TPS and DED Holders
March 4, 2019
03/05/19 RE: Interfaith request to protect Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure Holders through swift passage of a permanent legislative solution. Dear Honorable Members of the 116th Congress, On behalf of the 82 undersigned national, state, and local faith-based organizations, as well as 509 faith leaders from across traditions, we respectfully request that you co-sponsor and pass …