US faith groups applaud Supreme Court DACA decision
Washington DC, USRNS Faith groups are applauding the US Supreme Court’s decision temporarily halting the Trump administration’s efforts to rescind an Obama-era program granting legal protection to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children. The five to four decision, written by Chief Justice John G Roberts, Jr, and […]
US federal judge blocks executive order on refugees in lawsuit by three faith-based organisations
RNS A federal judge in Maryland has blocked US President Donald Trump’s recent executive order allowing state and local officials to refuse refugee resettlement. The preliminary injunction is part of HIAS v Trump, a lawsuit by three faith-based organisations against the US Government over the order. Residents in support of continued refugee resettlement hold signs […]
Most US states agree to admit refugees as judge hears lawsuit to stop resettlement order
RNS A federal judge in Maryland heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit by three faith-based organisations against the US Government over a recent executive order allowing state and local officials to block refugee resettlement. In the complaint filed in November, HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service argue President […]
US faith groups sue Trump administration over refugee resettlement order
RNS Three US faith-based groups that assist with refugee resettlement are suing the Federal Government, arguing a recent executive order granting state and local officials the authority to block refugee resettlement violates federal law and inhibits their ability to practice their faith. HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), Church World Service, and Lutheran […]
At a US church forum, presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says she is open to suspending deportations
Raleigh, North Carolina, USRNS At a campaign event held at a church that is providing sanctuary to an undocumented immigrant, Senator Elizabeth Warren on Friday said she would consider suspending deportations to pressure Congress to come up with a solution to the immigration crisis. Speaking at Umstead Park United Church of Christ, Warren was grilled […]
In the US, immigration officials drop $US300,000 fine for an immigrant in church sanctuary
RNS The message Pastor Isaac Villegas got on his cell phone earlier this week was short and sweet. “Un problema menos,” texted Rosa del Carmen Ortez-Cruz, a mother of four living in sanctuary at a Presbyterian church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “One less problem.” Rosa Ortez-Cruz has been in santuary at the Church of […]
Drop in US refugee admissions met with outcry from faith-based resettlement agencies
RNS The Trump administration’s announcement that it would once again slash refugee admissions to the United States to unprecedented lows was met with outcry by refugee resettlement groups – many of which are faith-based. The State Department announced Thursday that President Trump has set the number of refugees the US will accept over the next […]
ESSAY: PEOPLE OF FAITH KNOW WHAT MUST BE DONE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Writing in the US context in an article first published by Religion News Service, Rev JOHN L MCCULLOUGH, CEO of Church World Service, and RUDELMAR BUENO DE FARIA, general secretary of the ACT Alliance, write about why they are advocating for “comprehensive action” at this week’s UN Climate Summit…
Faith groups fear the end of refugee resettlement in the US
RNS Faith-based groups that help the US Government resettle refugees fear the future of their work is in jeopardy, after learning that the Trump administration is considering shutting down refugee resettlement for the coming fiscal year. That move, advocates say, would dismantle an already weakened – and largely religious – refugee resettlement infrastructure dedicated to […]
US sanctuary churches say fines against immigrants meant to sow fear
RNS About a dozen people taking refuge in sanctuary churches across the US received a letter from Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this week, informing them they owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in civil penalties for disobeying orders to leave the country. Among those was Rosa del Carmen Ortez Cruz, a 38-year-old mother of […]