Since January 20, our nation has seen a devastating shift in civil rights, with harmful policies targeting vulnerable communities—immigrant families, asylum seekers, and refugees.

These are people just like you and me. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and children desperately searching for refuge.

In 2021, Farida Mohammadi was one of them. She fled Afghanistan seeking safety in the U.S. and built a new life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There, she became a Housing Navigator with CWS Lancaster, helping other refugees rebuild their lives. But Farida’s journey is far from over. Just four years later, her life has been turned upside down again.
Though she found refuge, Farida’s husband and family remain stranded, hoping to reunite with her. Now, cruel policies keep them—and thousands of families like hers—stuck in limbo.

These policies block refugee resettlement, deny asylum, and suspend life-saving foreign aid.
This is not just a policy change—this is real harm to real families.

Earlier this year, just after resettling in Texas, Ali lost access to vital support services due to sudden government funding freezes — right when he was beginning to rebuild his life.

But his story is only a glimpse of a much larger reality. When the refugee ban and funding freeze was enacted, 30,000 refugees and 10,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders across the U.S. were suddenly cut off from the basic support they were promised. Refugees who are already resettled still urgently need help with housing, education and employment — and many have nowhere to turn.

But there is hope. Advocates like you are raising their voices and staying informed. And that’s why we created State of Play.

When we invest in the most vulnerable, we empower them to dream big and reach their goals.

Together, we can light the way for future generations, ensuring they have food, voice, a safe home, access to education and the opportunity to thrive.

across 11 countries have gained better access to safe water and sanitation at home

participated in CWS livelihoods programs and received vocational training, seeds and livestock, among other activities

individuals were resettled or processed for U.S. resettlement.