Policy Analysis and Recommendations

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is a leading voice in the movement to rebuild the U.S. asylum system and expand access to protection for women, children, LGBTQ+ people, and others seeking refuge. Our Policy & Advocacy team serves as a critical resource on asylum to policymakers, journalists, and the public. We provide rapid analysis of policy developments and offer practical recommendations for decision-makers at all levels of government, advising our leaders on how to ensure the United States lives up to its legal and moral commitments to people fleeing persecution.

Submission to The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the Public Consultation Questionnaire on Freedom of Expression and Unprotected Speech

Human Rights Body Submission
June 14, 2024
Submission to The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the Public Consultation Questionnaire on Freedom of Expression and Unprotected Speech

CGRS submitted input to the IACHR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression in response for a call for input on Freedom of Expression and Unprotected Speech. This submission focuses on the best practices to prevent stigmatizing and hate speech against migrants.

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CGRS Comment in Response to DHS Request for Comments: Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings, 89 Fed. Reg. 41347

Executive Branch Comment
June 12, 2024
CGRS Comment in Response to DHS Request for Comments: Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings, 89 Fed. Reg. 41347

We submitted our analysis of the government's proposed rule permitting asylum officers to consider the applicability of statutory bars during initial fear screenings. Our comment urges the government to withdraw the rule in its entirety.

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Submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Access to Information on Climate Change and Human Rights

Human Rights Body Submission
May 29, 2024
Submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change: Access to Information on Climate Change and Human Rights

CGRS made a submission to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change focused on the right to access information and human rights implications for people displaced across borders by the effects of climate change.

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Request to Provide a Minimum of 60 days for Public Comment in Response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings

Sign-on Letter
May 21, 2024
Request to Provide a Minimum of 60 days for Public Comment in Response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings

CGRS and 77 other organizations called on DHS to extend the comment period to a minimum of at least 60 days after DHS proposed a new rule governing fear screenings by asylum officers with an atypical, abbreviated 30-day comment period.

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Immigration Advocacy and National Faith, Progressive, Human and Civil Rights Organizations Oppose Further Senate Movement on Anti-Immigrant Legislation

Sign-on Letter
May 15, 2024
Immigration Advocacy and National Faith, Progressive, Human and Civil Rights Organizations Oppose Further Senate Movement on Anti-Immigrant Legislation

This joint statement expresses opposition to reported plans by Leader Schumer and Senate leadership to bring the failed Lankford-Murphy immigration bill, any of its components or paired with other bills, to the floor for a vote.

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Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism: Visit of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to Brazil

Human Rights Body Submission
May 15, 2024
Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism: Visit of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to Brazil

CGRS made a submission to the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism in response to the United Nations Special Rapporteur's call for input: Visit of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to Brazil.

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