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TA Program New Resources and Upcoming Trainings
CGRS regularly adds new resources to the TA Library, schedules upcoming trainings, and makes technical improvements and updates to our site. Keep an eye on this page for program updates!
Please note that the resources listed below are limited to those authored by CGRS or universal expert declarations provided by CGRS. Our TA Library also includes a wide range of third-party materials such as sample briefs, unpublished decisions, and resources authored by other organizations. We encourage you to check the TA Library regularly for new and helpful resources.
New Litigation Support Resources
Aug 28, 2023
New CGRS Universal Expert Declaration
CGRS is pleased to announce the release of an updated version of Dr. Stuart Lustig's universal expert declaration on trauma and memory. The psychological impact of prior trauma can impact the ability of survivors to subsequently disclose aspects of their trauma during case preparation, including even to trusted legal representatives.
Aug 23, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording: Dealing with Circularity in PSG Definitions
This webinar provides practitioners with tools to navigate this important aspect of social group cognizability. The webinar will discusses strategies for formulating non-circular social groups, tips on building a strong evidentiary record, and rebuttals to common arguments on circularity.
Aug 22, 2023
New CGRS Universal Expert Declaration
This universal declaration was authored by Julio Daniel Martinez, an expert on Nicaragua national politics and security policy. In his declaration, Julio Daniel Martinez addresses the increased brutal repression of political opponents, including students, female activists, members of the LGBTQI community, and religious individuals under the Ortega regime in Nicaragua. It also describes the risks faced by asylum seekers and individuals affected by the the 2022 ICE data breach. Finally, it provides an overview of Nicaragua’s sophisticated surveillance system and the laws and institutions used as tools of political oppression.
Aug 18, 2023
New CGRS Practice Advisory
This advisory, co-authored by NIP/NLG and CGRS, offers a comprehensive review of strategies for reopening cases that were denied under MPP, including equitable tolling arguments, the substantive standards for reopening in absentia and non-in absentia removal orders, and tips for advocating for clients who were in MPP. The advisory also discusses the complexities around DHS’s perspective on when MPP removal orders are considered “executed” and what that means for clients seeking to restart their cases.
Aug 3, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recordings: Introduction to Asylum Claims Based on Particular Social Groups
CGRS has added 2 new webinar recordings providing strategies for formulating and establishing membership in a cognizable PSG, satisfying the nexus requirement in PSG claims, responding to common challenges, and avoiding pitfalls.
Jul 11, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording: FAQs on the Asylum Ban Final Rule & 5-Year Bar on Re-entry
The administration terminated Title 42 in May, but access to asylum remains severely limited at the southern border. This webinar discusses the joint asylum ban rule from Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.
Jul 3, 2023
New Universal Expert Declaration on Harm to Asylum Seekers in Brazil
This expert declaration, by Katherine Jensen, provides detailed information on the operation of Brazil's immigration system, including information on the limited protections available to asylum seekers. It also discusses discrimination faced by those seeking protection in Brazil, and may be helpful in cases in which an applicant settled in or transited through Brazil.
Jun 29, 2023
New Honduras Expert Declaration
CGRS has added an expert declaration from Claudia Herrmannsdorfer, a Honduran expert on violence against women. The declaration provides context on the conditions for women in Honduras.
Jun 22, 2023
New and Updated El Salvador Universal Expert Declarations
CGRS has added 3 new expert declarations from El Salvador experts Patrick McNamara and Jeannette Aguilar to the TA Library, containing up-to-date information on gang violence, the State of Exception and harm to women.
May 24, 2023
New Country Conditions Toolkit
This country conditions toolkit provides advocates with sources to begin their research to corroborate claims from political dissidents and ethnic minorities from Russia.
May 24, 2023
New Afghanistan Universal Expert Declarations
CGRS has added 3 new universal declarations on Afghanistan to the TAL, covering Afghan ID documents, harm to Western-affiliated individuals, and harm to women and Hazara individuals.
May 18, 2023
New Practice Advisory
This practice advisory discusses the Al Otro Lado litigation and covers frequently asked questions about the court’s permanent injunction, which restored asylum eligibility for certain individuals turned back at ports of entry before July 16, 2019.
May 12, 2023
New Practice Advisory
This advisory provides an introduction to the law governing asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the bars to these forms of relief.
May 11, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording
This CGRS webinar discusses the current situation of gangs and the ongoing State of Exception (Régimen de Excepción) in El Salvador, focusing on its potential impact on children's asylum claims involving fear of gang violence.
May 4, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording
This webinar focuses on utilizing the resources provided through the CGRS TA program for effective representation in asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture claims.
Apr 27, 2023
New CGRS Report
This report presents an overview of the legal and policy context for the administration’s proposed “asylum ban” and highlights the inability of nine common transit countries – Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador – to provide protection to asylum seekers.
Events & Trainings
CGRS regularly holds and participates in events and trainings in California and around the country and internationally to increase awareness, knowledge, and expertise on refugee law and policy and human rights. Our events and trainings are generally open to the public, including attorneys, government officials, human rights advocates, social service providers, law and undergraduate students, media and others. If your organization is interested in co-sponsoring an event or training, please contact us at cgrs-ca@uclawsf.edu.
Sep 26, 2023
Forum for Advocates from Historically Marginalized Communities Working in Immigration Legal Services Organizations
CGRS will be holding a forum to identify and create resources to better support staff from historically underrepresented communities at immigration legal services organizations. Click the link below for more information
Oct 25, 2023
In-Person MCLE Training: A Deep Dive into Asylum & Withholding of Removal Claims Involving Particular Social Groups
The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies – California and San Joaquin College of Law, New American Legal Clinic invite you to a free full-day MCLE training focused on asylum and statutory withholding of removal claims involving particular social groups (PSGs).
Oct 26, 2026
Forum for Advocates from Historically Underrepresented Communities Working in Immigration Legal Services Organizations
CGRS will be holding a forum to identify and create resources to better support staff from historically underrepresented communities at immigration legal services organizations. Click the link below for more information.
Help Support CGRS!
CGRS relies on individual donations to provide informative events and trainings free of charge. Please consider donating to support our work. Donate here.
