World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, notes that Donald Trump has issued executive orders that are “significantly impacting thousands of lives and reshaping the way we are able to serve those in greatest need.”
Jessica Galván breaks down these executive orders:
Suspension of the Refugee Resettlement Program:
On January 20th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP). The suspension, which took effect on January 27, will last for at least several months. During this time, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, has been tasked with reviewing the program and determining within 90 days whether it should resume.
The RRP has long been a lifeline for individuals fleeing war, persecution and violence. It’s one of the most rigorously vetted immigration pathways, providing safety and shelter to those with no other option, including persecuted Christians. Nearly a quarter of all refugees admitted to the U.S. last year were Christians from the top 50 countries for persecuting Christians. Moreover, half of those waiting for resettlement are women and children living in unstable and unsafe conditions.
This executive order was anticipated, and while we had prepared for the possibility, we had fervently prayed for a different outcome. The U.S. has a long, bipartisan history of welcoming refugees, with the program being formally established in 1980. Yet, today, that legacy is under threat.
Among the 3,988 refugees currently in their first 90 days of resettlement, many are Afghan allies who risked their lives assisting U.S. forces, persecuted Christians who fled for their faith, and families from countries like Sudan, Ukraine and Burma escaping war and violence. These families have already undergone thorough vetting and were legally granted entry, expecting a safe and stable future. Instead, they now face an uncertain reality. The doors that once symbolized welcome are being slammed shut.…
Stop-Work Order from the U.S. Department of State:
On January 24th, World Relief was notified by the U.S. Department of State that all federally funded activities providing initial resettlement supporting nearly 4,000 refugees already on U.S. soil must stop effective immediately. These “stop-work” orders were completely unexpected.Â
For over 40 years, World Relief has worked in partnership with the U.S. government and local churches to resettle more than 500,000 refugees. The government provides essential funding for the first 90 days—covering rent, food, and transportation—while churches and volunteers offer relational and practical support, ensuring these families feel welcomed and empowered to integrate….
Pause in U.S. foreign assistance and USAID:
Reports of a USAID shut down have left the global humanitarian community reeling this week, as agency workers were told not to report to work, its website and social media accounts deleted, and logos removed from building walls.
As the official humanitarian and development arm of the US Government, USAID is the largest funder of international aid around the world. For decades, it has played a vital role in alleviating poverty, treating disease, responding to natural disasters and addressing hunger. Moreover, U.S. International development and aid work is vital to furthering U.S. diplomacy. They bolster our nation’s reputation as a reliable ally and ultimately support our national security strategic interests.Â
“This is the latest in a series of incredibly concerning developments that could indicate a tragic intent to dismantle life-saving aid and development work around the world”, said World Relief SVP of International Programs, Lanre Williams Ayedun.
While we partner with churches, World Relief also partners with the U.S. government overseas to provide food, medical care, clean water, shelter and life-saving services in Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — countries already facing extreme humanitarian crises.
Without this assistance, for millions, this is a matter of life and death.
We urge the administration to reinstate funding for critical humanitarian programs that protect the human dignity of all people made in God’s image and save lives.
Pause on all federal grants:
Similar to the refugee resettlement suspension, this pause impacts a wide range of federal grants that fund essential services for communities in vulnerable situations. For World Relief, it means an immediate halt to resources critical for refugees and immigrants already living in the U.S., as well as millions internationally.
The consequences are stark: fewer resources for refugee families to integrate, fewer opportunities to rebuild lives and an increased likelihood of hunger, homelessness and poverty. Without these funds, organizations like World Relief must rely solely on private donations to fill the gap—an impossible task at this scale without urgent support from compassionate individuals like you.Â
*Most recently, this memo is being temporarily blocked by a federal judge and we eagerly await the result of this action.Â
Declaration of national emergency at the U.S. Mexico-Border:
The declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border authorizes military assistance with immigration enforcement. This order enables military assistance with immigration enforcement, framing migrants—many of whom are families seeking refuge—as a threat.Â
Policies like the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” program forces asylum seekers to wait in dangerous conditions with limited access to legal counsel while their cases are processed, denying them due process and increasing their exposure to unstable environments. Families, children and individuals seeking safety are treated as adversaries rather than people deserving of compassion and protection.
Termination of humanitarian parole programs & expanded deportations:
This week, the Trump administration took significant steps to terminate parole sponsorship programs that have allowed individuals from crisis-stricken countries to lawfully enter, reside and work in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already halted a key parole program benefiting individuals from Haiti, Venezuela and other nations, though it remains unclear whether a similar program for Ukrainians will also be canceled.
At the same time, DHS has announced an expanded use of expedited removal, enabling the government to deport individuals without judicial review if they cannot prove they have lived in the U.S. for at least two years. This includes individuals who entered lawfully under parole sponsorship programs, meaning they could now lose their status, jobs and face deportation to countries still in crisis.
We lament these decisions and urge the administration to reconsider. We have partnered with local churches and volunteers to support thousands of individuals who arrived lawfully under these programs—many of whom are now at risk. Haiti remains in a state of emergency, with widespread violence, civil unrest, and limited healthcare. Returning individuals to such instability is inhumane. The same applies for Venezuela, Cuba, Ukraine, Afghanistan and other nations, where forced returns could have life-threatening consequences. Many Afghans, including those who assisted the U.S. military, were paroled into the U.S. and still lack permanent legal protections.
Rather than strengthening border security, these actions could have the opposite effect. Tools like the CPB One app, which had been a way for individuals to seek asylum at a lawful port of entry, was ended. This triggered the cancellation of thousands of lawful appointments for asylum seekers and families who have been waiting patiently for many months with no replacement process. Now, many migrants may feel forced to take dangerous, irregular routes. This action turns our back on people fleeing persecution who, under law, should be given due process….
Ending birthright citizenship:
The reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment in ending birthright citizenship is both unprecedented and legally contentious. Citizenship is now tied to parents’ legal status rather than birth in the U.S., a change facing significant legal challenges.
This decision not only undermines constitutional principles but also creates long-term instability for families and children born in the U.S., denying them the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. For thousands of children, this could mean a lifelong lack of legal status, leaving them vulnerable to deportation from the only home they’ve ever known. It would also significantly inflate the number of individuals unlawfully residing in the U.S. essentially, creating the perception that immigration challenges are more severe than they actually are.Â
Changes to sensitive location protections:
A recent executive order revokes critical protections that previously limited immigration enforcement in churches, schools, hospitals and other sensitive locations—places that should remain safe for all.
For years, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) followed guidance restricting enforcement actions in these locations unless granted supervisor authorization. These protections were put in place out of respect for religious freedom, public health and child welfare—ensuring that individuals could seek shelter, medical care, education or attend church services without fear.
Without these safeguards, immigrants and refugees may now hesitate to go to the doctor, enroll their children in school or seek refuge in a place of worship—fearing that doing so could lead to detention or deportation.…
Learn more here.