Celebrating 25 Years of Pursuing Justice for Refugees
For over two and a half decades, CGRS has stood alongside refugees and asylum seekers, providing the legal expertise needed to uphold their rights and dignity. Through impact litigation, technical assistance and training, and policy advocacy, we have dedicated our work to building a more just and compassionate asylum system. At a time when the protection of asylum seekers is under unprecedented attack, CGRS’s work is more critical than ever. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to join us in the pursuit of justice for refugees.
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6-9pm
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA
Stay tuned for event registration coming soon!
1996 - Matter of Kasinga
Professor Karen Musalo leads the team representing Fauziya Kassindja, a Togolese woman fleeing female genital cutting and forced marriage, and wins asylum. This marks the first precedential decision (Matter of Kasinga) recognizing gender-based violence as a basis for asylum.
1996 - Rody Alvarado is granted asylum
Relying on the precedent in Kasinga, an immigration judge grants asylum to Rody Alvarado, a Guatemalan survivor of domestic violence.
1999 - Rody Alvarado’s grant of asylum is reversed and CGRS is founded
The reversal is an ominous sign of backtracking on the issue; Karen becomes counsel in Rody Alvarado’s case to defend her right to asylum, and progress on the issue. Karen launches CGRS with a $20,000 grant allowing her to hire one half-time attorney to support Rody’s case, and the cases of many around the country.
2009 - CGRS advocates for Rody Alvarado
After ten years of hard-fought advocacy, the US immigration authorities agree that Rody should be granted asylum, but they do not issue a binding decision which would benefit other women.
2013 - CGRS expands its ability to assist attorneys by launching its asylum case database
Building on its hugely popular program to provide assistance to attorneys, CGRS launches its one-of-a-kind online technical assistance library and asylum case database.
2014 - Victory for survivors of domestic violence in Matter of A-R-C-G-
CGRS helps secure the first precedential decision recognizing domestic violence as a ground for asylum in Matter of A-R-C-G-.
2017 - State Bar of California recognizes CGRS as a Legal Services Trust Fund Program Support Centers #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign
CGRS’s long history of providing expert consultation and training to attorneys is recognized when it is named as a “Qualified Support Center” by the State Bar.
2018 - CGRS takes on Matter of A-B- to protect asylum for survivors and launches #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign
Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions takes action in the case of Matter of A-B- in an attempt to end asylum for survivors of domestic and gang violence, reversing Matter of A-R-C-G-. CGRS takes on Ms. AB’s case and launches the national #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign to resist the Trump administration’s assault on asylum for survivors of gender-based violence.
2018 - CGRS launches first-of-its-kind expert witness database
Identifying the urgent need for experts to support asylum cases, CGRS creates and launches a first-of-its-kind in the field of asylum law expert witness database, a free searchable database of medical and country conditions experts available to testify in support of asylum claims.
2020 - CGRS halts “death to asylum” regulations
CGRS sues and stops sweeping anti-asylum regulations aimed at destroying protections three days before going into effect in Pangea Legal Services v. DHS.
2021 - Garland vacates Matter of A-B- restoring protections for survivors
CGRS's advocacy results in Attorney General Merrick Garland vacating the Trump administration's decision in Matter of A-B- and restoring A-R-C-G-.
2021 - CGRS spearheads Climate Displacement Advocacy Initiative
Recognizing the escalating impacts of climate change on displacement, CGRS launches an advocacy initiative to expand legal protections for people displaced by climate change and provide support to advocates litigating asylum cases involving climate factors.
2023 - CGRS defends access to asylum at the southern border
CGRS files several legal challenges to defend access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. In our lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s asylum ban, a federal judge ruled the ban is unlawful.
2024 - Inter-American Court of Human Rights invites CGRS to testify on climate displacement
CGRS drafts a historic amicus brief and testifies before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Barbados urging State protections for climate-displaced individuals.
2025 - CGRS challenges anti-asylum policies under Trump 2.0
Since Trump took office, CGRS has filed three lawsuits challenging the administration’s attacks on asylum protections to safeguard rights and keep pathways open for people seeking safety. In April, CGRS secured an important victory halting the government from reimplementing their “Remain in Mexico” policy.
2025 - CGRS demands international action in response to forced disappearances
CGRS files an urgent request to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights demanding immediate action against El Salvador for the unlawful detention of hundreds of individuals illegally transferred from the U.S. to the CECOT mega-prison.
2025 - CGRS celebrates two and a half decades of refugee rights advocacy
CGRS commemorates 25 years of advancing justice for individuals and families seeking asylum. From a program started with $20,000 and one half-time paid staff, CGRS has grown to 29 staff with a budget of over $4 million.
1996 - Matter of Kasinga
Professor Karen Musalo leads the team representing Fauziya Kassindja, a Togolese woman fleeing female genital cutting and forced marriage, and wins asylum. This marks the first precedential decision (Matter of Kasinga) recognizing gender-based violence as a basis for asylum.
1996 - Rody Alvarado is granted asylum
Relying on the precedent in Kasinga, an immigration judge grants asylum to Rody Alvarado, a Guatemalan survivor of domestic violence.
1999 - Rody Alvarado’s grant of asylum is reversed and CGRS is founded
The reversal is an ominous sign of backtracking on the issue; Karen becomes counsel in Rody Alvarado’s case to defend her right to asylum, and progress on the issue. Karen launches CGRS with a $20,000 grant allowing her to hire one half-time attorney to support Rody’s case, and the cases of many around the country.
2009 - CGRS advocates for Rody Alvarado
After ten years of hard-fought advocacy, the US immigration authorities agree that Rody should be granted asylum, but they do not issue a binding decision which would benefit other women.
2013 - CGRS expands its ability to assist attorneys by launching its asylum case database
Building on its hugely popular program to provide assistance to attorneys, CGRS launches its one-of-a-kind online technical assistance library and asylum case database.
2014 - Victory for survivors of domestic violence in Matter of A-R-C-G-
CGRS helps secure the first precedential decision recognizing domestic violence as a ground for asylum in Matter of A-R-C-G-.
2017 - State Bar of California recognizes CGRS as a Legal Services Trust Fund Program Support Centers #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign
CGRS’s long history of providing expert consultation and training to attorneys is recognized when it is named as a “Qualified Support Center” by the State Bar.
2018 - CGRS takes on Matter of A-B- to protect asylum for survivors and launches #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign
Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions takes action in the case of Matter of A-B- in an attempt to end asylum for survivors of domestic and gang violence, reversing Matter of A-R-C-G-. CGRS takes on Ms. AB’s case and launches the national #ImmigrantWomenToo campaign to resist the Trump administration’s assault on asylum for survivors of gender-based violence.
2018 - CGRS launches first-of-its-kind expert witness database
Identifying the urgent need for experts to support asylum cases, CGRS creates and launches a first-of-its-kind in the field of asylum law expert witness database, a free searchable database of medical and country conditions experts available to testify in support of asylum claims.
2020 - CGRS halts “death to asylum” regulations
CGRS sues and stops sweeping anti-asylum regulations aimed at destroying protections three days before going into effect in Pangea Legal Services v. DHS.
2021 - Garland vacates Matter of A-B- restoring protections for survivors
CGRS's advocacy results in Attorney General Merrick Garland vacating the Trump administration's decision in Matter of A-B- and restoring A-R-C-G-.
2021 - CGRS spearheads Climate Displacement Advocacy Initiative
Recognizing the escalating impacts of climate change on displacement, CGRS launches an advocacy initiative to expand legal protections for people displaced by climate change and provide support to advocates litigating asylum cases involving climate factors.
2023 - CGRS defends access to asylum at the southern border
CGRS files several legal challenges to defend access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. In our lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s asylum ban, a federal judge ruled the ban is unlawful.
2024 - Inter-American Court of Human Rights invites CGRS to testify on climate displacement
CGRS drafts a historic amicus brief and testifies before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Barbados urging State protections for climate-displaced individuals.
2025 - CGRS challenges anti-asylum policies under Trump 2.0
Since Trump took office, CGRS has filed three lawsuits challenging the administration’s attacks on asylum protections to safeguard rights and keep pathways open for people seeking safety. In April, CGRS secured an important victory halting the government from reimplementing their “Remain in Mexico” policy.
2025 - CGRS demands international action in response to forced disappearances
CGRS files an urgent request to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights demanding immediate action against El Salvador for the unlawful detention of hundreds of individuals illegally transferred from the U.S. to the CECOT mega-prison.
2025 - CGRS celebrates two and a half decades of refugee rights advocacy
CGRS commemorates 25 years of advancing justice for individuals and families seeking asylum. From a program started with $20,000 and one half-time paid staff, CGRS has grown to 29 staff with a budget of over $4 million.
For 25 years, CGRS has advanced the rights of women, children, LGTBQ+ individuals and others fleeing persecution, and recently expanded our work to all those who arrive at our borders seeking safety. In this critical moment, your donation helps us to defend asylum protections.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to CGRS Manager of Individual Giving, Julia Hause, at hausejulia@uclawsf.edu.
