Church World Service expressed openness to aiding Afrikaner refugees under the new U.S. refugee policy while strongly criticizing the government’s fast-tracked admission that favors a select group over other more vulnerable refugee populations awaiting life-saving resettlement.

The article highlights Church World Service's longstanding role in assisting refugees, emphasizing its commitment to vulnerable populations, even as federal funding cuts under the Trump administration threaten refugee resettlement programs nationwide.

Church World Service issued a statement opposing the Trump administration's termination of nearly 10,000 federal contracts, including critical agreements for refugee resettlement and humanitarian support. The organization condemned the move, emphasizing the damage it would inflict on vulnerable populations and long-standing refugee resettlement efforts.

Church World Service, a humanitarian organization aiding refugees, was forced to lay off 151 NYC employees after the Trump administration suspended federal funding. In a news release, CEO Rick Santos decried the decision as harmful to vulnerable communities, while a WARN notice outlined the layoffs and cited loss of funding as the reason.

Church World Service, together with HIAS and Lutheran Community Services Northwest, is part of a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order that suspended the U.S. refugee resettlement program and froze federal funding. The legal action contests the executive order on the grounds that it unlawfully disrupts essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations.

Church World Service, along with its partner agencies, has initiated legal action against the Trump Administration's discriminatory executive order that suspended the US refugee resettlement program and froze critical refugee funding. This lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Washington, argues that the suspension is unlawful and undermines congressional authority while harming vulnerable refugee communities.

Church World Service, impacted by mass furloughs and funding freezes under the Trump administration, participated in a protest outside the White House on February 4, 2025, and supported a lawsuit challenging the suspension of refugee resettlement funding. This action underscores their commitment to social justice and resistance to authoritarian policies.

Church World Service reported that the federal government is refusing to reimburse costs incurred prior to Trump’s executive order, leading to widespread furloughs and financial strain that could impact services for resettled refugees. CWS leadership has engaged in public protests and advocacy, highlighting the challenges imposed by authoritarian policy decisions.