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 Our TA Library also includes a wide range of third-party materials such as sample briefs, unpublished decisions, and resources authored by other organizations.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
Sep 29, 2023
New CGRS Country Conditions Annotated Tables of Contents
CGRS has added 6 new annotated tables of contents in support of Convention Against Torture (CAT) claims pertaining to former and imputed gang membership in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. These compilations contain country conditions evidence to support each legal element of a CAT claim, with relevant quotations excerpted for each source.
Sep 27, 2023
New CGRS Country Conditions Webinar: Indigenous Children in Guatemala
This webinar addresses the current conditions of Indigenous children in Guatemala. CGRS attorneys provide a comprehensive overview of the historical, cultural, and social conditions of Indigenous children in Guatemala. They explore the shortcomings of the legal framework and government institutions in protecting their rights and examine the most common forms of violence and discrimination faced by Indigenous children in Guatemala.
Sep 25, 2023
New CGRS Practice Advisory: Seeking Statutory Withholding of Removal
This advisory provides a comprehensive review of withholding of removal under INA Section 241(b)(3) with a focus on formulating winning strategies in withholding claims. The advisory also briefly discusses the bars to relief and compares the legal eligibility standards and benefits of asylum, withholding, and protection under the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT).
Sep 18, 2023
New CGRS Webinar: Self-Care as a Professional Responsibility with Chair Yoga
This webinar discusses ethical issues posed by unaddressed burnout and vicarious trauma, on both an individual and organizational level. It discusses how self-care comports with the California Rules of Professional Conduct and offers potential wellness-promoting techniques to adopt. The webinar concludes with chair yoga accessible to most.
Sep 14, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recordings: Dealing with Circularity in PSG Definitions
CGRS has added 2 new webinar recordings that provide practitioners with tools to navigate this important aspect of social group cognizability. The webinars provide strategies for formulating non-circular social groups, tips on building a strong evidentiary record, and rebuttals to common arguments on circularity.
Sep 9, 2023
New CGRS Practice Advisory: FAQs on the 5-Year Bar on Re-Entry and the Asylum Ban Final Rule
This FAQ addresses the five-year bar to reentry in the Asylum Ban Final Rule, potential legal consequences for violating the bar, strategies for avoiding or overcoming this bar, and whether noncitizens may continue to seek asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protection when subject to this bar.
Aug 28, 2023
New CGRS Universal Expert Declaration: Stuart Lustig on Trauma and Memory
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 22, 2023
New CGRS Universal Expert Declaration: Julio Martinez on Political Repression in Nicaragua and the ICE Data Breach
Authored by Julio Daniel Martinez, an expert on Nicaragua national politics and security policy, this declaration 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 and 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: Motions to Reopen Migrant Protection Protocols (“MPP”) Removal Orders
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.
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.

Dec 12, 2023
CGRS MCLE Webinar: Attorney Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Asylum Cases
Please join CGRS for a virtual MCLE webinar on common ethics issues and best practices in asylum representation. CGRS staff attorneys will provide an overview of attorneys’ professional responsibilities to the client and tribunal, highlighting some of the ethical conundrums that may arise in the context of asylum representation.
Other TA Program News and Updates
New CGRS domain
CGRS's website domain has changed from cgrs.uchastings.edu to cgrs.uclawsf.edu. Links to the old site will automatically update, but please note the new name when searching for our site.
New feature in the Expert Witness Database
Organizations or clinics offering expert evaluations are now listed in the Expert Witness Database.
Share a TA Library with co-counsel
If you are working on a case with other colleagues, clinic students, or pro bono counsel, add others as shared users to access the same resources and save time. To share, click Share Case on the case record.
Submit resources for inclusion in the TA Library
Support CGRS by helping expand our TA Library! We welcome submissions of sample briefs, country conditions research, universal declarations, and more.
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.