The Episcopal Church has helped resettle more than 100,000 refugees fleeing war and persecution since the United States created its federal resettlement program 45 years ago. That ministry, one of the church’s most revered and robust, was effectively halted this week by a stroke of the president’s pen.

On Jan. 20, hours after President Donald Trump took office for a second term, he signed an executive order that suspended all refugee resettlement in the United States and gave no clear indication when, if ever, it might resume.

Episcopal Migration Ministries, EMM, is one of 10 agencies with federal contracts to facilitate refugee resettlement on behalf of the State Department. The agencies had spent the past four years rebuilding their capacity, after Trump slashed refugee resettlement in his first term. His new order again casts doubt on the viability of a federal program that has long had bipartisan support.

Refugee resettlement has been central to EMM’s work, which also includes support for asylum-seekers and other migrants through local affiliates and congregations. Since the inauguration, it has been tracking Trump’s immigration-related executive orders on its website. Despite the renewed uncertainty under Trump, Shipman said the agency remains focused on its mission. “We are confident we will continue our vital ministry to address the needs of immigrants already in our communities–now and in the years to come" ...