About Us

Prayer vigil for immigration reform

Church World Service has been deeply committed to immigrants, refugees and other forcibly displaced persons since it was founded in 1946. This commitment has manifested itself in direct services to immigrants and refugees; policy advocacy in Washington, D.C., to improve policies impacting immigrants and refugees, and a network of 36 denominations and communions, 34 refugee resettlement affiliates, local offices, and individuals who care about immigrant populations.

CWS and partner organizations including the Interfaith Immigration Coalition have joined forces to mobilize grassroots efforts in states key to enacting immigration reform. Over the past year, this work has motivated thousands of people of faith to circulate petitions and organize more than 500 prayer vigils, in-district Congressional visits, potlucks, community education events, advocacy calls, and other creative ways to “welcome the stranger.” We continue this work with the goal of humane immigration reform within our reach, as we declare a prophetic witness that people of faith stand in solidarity with immigrants, and that immigration reform cannot wait.

Contact Us

Associate for Immigration and Refugee Policy

Jen Smyers
Immigration and Refugee Program
Church World Service
110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20002
202.481.6935
jsmyers@churchworldservice.org

Grassroots Coordinator for Immigrants’ Rights

Noel Andersen
Immigration and Refugee Program
Church World Service
110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20002
202.481.6687
nandersen@churchworldservice.org

CWS Immigration and Refugee Program Director

Erol Kekic
Immigration and Refugee Program
Church World Service
Suite 700, 475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
212-870-3300
ekekic@churchworldservice.org

CWS Immigration and Refugee Program Media Contact

Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
Information Specialist
Immigration and Refugee Program
Church World Service
Suite 700, 475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
212-870- 2673
cfouke@churchworldservice.org