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  Judge rules U.S. must begin admitting some refugees

  A federal judge denied a request by the Trump administration to reconsider a ruling in a lawsuit brought by faith-based refugee resettlement agencies, ordering the government to begin immediately processing and admitting refugees who were conditionally approved before Jan 20.

  04/11/2025 - By Jack Jenkins / Religion News Service

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  1996 law named ‘greatest enabler’ of online sexploitation

  An underage girl identified as Jane Doe was raped more than 1,000 times, according to the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, because of ads her traffickers posted on Backpage, where you could also buy various commercial goods.

  04/07/2025 - By Dianna Chandler / Baptist Press

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  1 in 12 U.S. Christians vulnerable to deportation

  A new report published by four prominent Catholic and evangelical organizations claims about 1 in 12 Christians in the U.S. are vulnerable to deportation or live with a family member who could be deported by President Donald Trump’s administration.

  04/01/2025 - By Jack Jenkins / Religion News Service

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  Spiritual adviser counseled man executed by firing squad

  When Brad Sigmon was put to death March 7 in South Carolina, it was the first time in 15 years an execution in the United States had been carried out by a firing squad. Hillary Taylor served as Sigmon’s spiritual adviser since 2020.

  03/25/2025 - By Elizabeth E. Evans / Religion News Service

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  Refugee resettlement groups concerned about new plans

  In a March 10 status report on refugee resettlement, President Donald Trump’s administration acknowledged there had been a “significant deterioration of functions” due to its stop-work orders and suspension of resettlement programs. 

  03/13/2025 - By Aleja Hertzler-McCain / Religion News Service

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  Evangelical groups hold vigil against foreign aid cuts

  Evangelical Christian groups are calling on Congress to reinstate foreign aid programs shuttered by President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing the government’s actions will hurt millions of people around the world.

  03/12/2025 - By Jack Jenkins / Religion News Service

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  Oklahoma superintendent seeks funds for patriotic Bibles

  After state officials rejected Ryan Walters’ request for $3 million to buy Bibles to place in Oklahoma school classrooms, he launched a fundraising campaign to buy copies endorsed by President Donald Trump, with the help of country singer Lee Greenwood. 

  03/10/2025 - By Bob Smietana / Religion News Service

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  Administration cancels grants to refugee aid agencies

  The Trump administration is making moves to shutter a partnership between the government and religious organizations to resettle refugees, with the State Department canceling grant agreements with all the agencies despite ongoing legal battles.

  03/03/2025 - By Jack Jenkins and Yonat Shimron / Religion News Service

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  Judge blocks Trump order pausing refugee admissions

  A federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend refugee admissions, saying the president likely exceeded his authority.

  02/26/2025 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Judge bars warrantless immigration raids on CBF churches

  A federal judge in Maryland granted a preliminary injunction to bar immigration agents from conducting warrantless raids on Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches, as well as Quaker assemblies and a Sikh temple.

  02/25/2025 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

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  Trump’s IVF executive order worries abortion foes

  Americans are polarized on many issues in public life, from what books kids should be allowed to read in school to how to reform the nation’s immigration system.

  02/24/2025 - By Bob Smietana / Religion News Service

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  Lawmakers seek to bar ICE raids at sensitive locations

  Lawmakers and religious groups are speaking out in support of a bill that would largely protect immigrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids within 1,000 feet of “sensitive locations” such as hospitals, schools and churches.

  02/17/2025 - By Jack Jenkins / Religion News Service