On Friday January 27th 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order stopping resettlement of all refugees in the United States for 120 days and banning nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for at least the next 90 days by executive order. The order bars all people hailing from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The executive order also bans entry of those fleeing from war-torn Syria indefinitely.

The Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of CWS, has said:

“CWS is staunchly opposed and gravely disheartened by this callous, discriminatory decision, which turns our backs on refugees when they are most in need of safety. Make no mistake––by restricting access to resettlement for refugees from Syria and other countries and simultaneously preferencing religious minorities, President Trump is manifesting the ‘Muslim ban’ that he threatened on the campaign trail. This is a clear case of religious discrimination and must be decried as such. My heart is heavy for refugees who believed our promise to them; for their family members who are here and desperately waiting to be reunited with their sister, brother, parent or child; and for the very soul of this nation.”

The Shenandoah Valley community has risen up to stand with refugees and immigrants through advocacy efforts and rallying in Court Square. Below are more resources about how you can stay informed and stay involved to support refugees in this difficult time: