Tell Local and State Leaders: Hold ICE Accountable
Our neighbors are under threat. The time to act is now.
Across the United States immigrant and refugee families are living in fear while facing increasing violence, mass detention, forced deportations and dangerous dehumanizing rhetoric. These inhumane and illegal actions are tearing families apart, depriving people of constitutional rights and closing off legal pathways to safety – threatening the livelihoods of not only undocumented immigrants, but also legally present refugees, asylum seekers, green card holders and naturalized citizens.
Together Americans of diverse faiths and backgrounds are rising up to defend welcome, compassion, and the belief that our nation should protect the dignity and rights of every person.
We cannot be passive bystanders. Together, we can meet this moment with the resolve it demands. Help answer this urgent call: Rise up for refuge.
Photo courtesy of CWS Lancaster
Rise Up for Refuge is an inclusive, nonpartisan moral action movement launched by Church World Service (CWS) to strengthen, resource, and amplify community-led efforts supporting immigrant and refugee communities:
Bolster Community Led Action
Provide resources, training, and coordination to support local communities and increase the impact of community-driven action across the country-- including local advocacy, events, mutual aid and accompaniment efforts.Activate Communities of Conscience
Mobilize faith and community partners to support nonpartisan civic engagement efforts for the 2026 elections and beyond.Shape the Narrative
Diversify, support and elevate local voices speaking out for our neighbors and inspire moral courage across the country.Expand Legal Support
Increase access to legal services, protection, and accompaniment for individuals and families directly targeted by efforts to detain, deport, and demonize newcomers.Join the Rise Up for Refuge Campaign
A long and arduous process: only people seeking asylum know the pain.
They are all around us. People who are seeking asylum breathe, eat and make plans like we all do. They are only different because they have been forced to make the difficult choice of leaving their beloved homes and neighborhood. There is a lot of uncertainty in seeking asylum; leaving your country for another does not mean the safety of those seeking asylum is guaranteed. Therefore, there are a lot more challenges asylum seekers face in their new lives. Yet, they stay strong, resilient and determined. They are the ones we need within us.