Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

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Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

Advancing the fundamental human rights of refugee women and children around the world.

06/10/2026

The Supreme Court is poised to rule on a case that could slam the door shut on people seeking refuge at our nation's doorstep.

In an op-ed for TIME, former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman calls the Trump administration's arguments in our case with Al Otro Lado "a distortion of the law" and "a display of callous indifference to the tragedies that moved Congress to pass the Refugee Act," a bill that she co-authored.

"The Congress in which I served, in legislation which I co-authored, intended to give asylum seekers who encounter a U.S. official at the border the opportunity to exercise their right to seek asylum," Holtzman says. "It’s that simple ... lives are at stake."

Read Holtzman's full op-ed: https://time.com/article/2026/06/09/i-helped-write-the-refugee-act-trump-is-trampling-it/

04/30/2026

📽️ Please join CGRS, the Law and Society Association, and UC Law SF's RICE Center on May 27 in San Francisco for a film screening and discussion exploring the Sanctuary Movement, which came into existence in the 1980s to protect refugees, and the lessons it teaches us today. This year, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, we’re coming together to draw inspiration from the Sanctuary Movement and the courage and conscience of those who participated in it.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 27, 5:30-7:30 pm PT
📍 333 Golden Gate Ave 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
✨ RSVP at bit.ly/sanctuaryfilmevent

📽️ Documentary filmmaker Theo Rigby will present excerpts from two of his films: Sanctuary: Faith and Resistance and Si Pudiera Quedarme.

🎤 We will also hear from:
✨Jose Artiga, Executive Director, SHARE Foundation
✨Professor Karen Musalo, CGRS Faculty Director and Professor, UC Law SF
✨Professor Ming Hsu Chen, RICE Faculty Director and Professor, UC Law SF
✨Pastor Drew Paton, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley

Reception to follow with light refreshments. We hope to see you there!

INation Media

04/24/2026

BREAKING: Today a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration's Day 1 proclamation aimed at completely shutting down asylum at the border is unlawful.

“Since January of last year, the government has used the proclamation to implement a near-total shutdown of asylum processing, slamming the door on vulnerable families, children, and adults seeking refuge,” CGRS Litigation Director Melissa Crow said today.

“As the court rightly concluded, U.S. law is clear: People seeking safety have a legal right to apply for asylum. The government cannot wield racist, baseless claims of an ‘invasion’ to override Congress and deprive them of that right.”

We are proud to represent our partners at RAICES, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, and The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project in this lawsuit, alongside our co-counsel at ACLU, National Immigrant Justice Center, Texas Civil Rights Project, ACLU of the District of Columbia, and ACLU of Texas.

Learn more and read our full statement: https://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/en/news/federal-appeals-court-rules-trump-proclamation-eliminating-asylum-unlawful

Photo Credit: Khalid Eid | Survival Media Agency

03/25/2026

Yesterday morning faith leaders, immigrant rights advocates, and community members gathered at the Supreme Court to declare “No Turning Back” on the rights of people seeking safety.

Ahead of arguments in Noem v. Al Otro Lado, the Kairos Center led a coalition of faith groups in song and prayer, while advocates joined them to rally behind the legal team fighting for people seeking refuge at our southern border, including Al Otro Lado and their counsel at the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the American Immigration Council, Democracy Forward, and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.

Leading organizations across faith traditions came together to affirm their shared commitment to “welcoming the stranger,” and to urge the U.S. government to honor its legal and moral obligations to refugee families, children, and adults fleeing persecution.

No matter the outcome in this case, we will continue to stand with people seeking safety and welcome newcomers at the border. Asylum saves lives.

Photo Credit: Khalid Eid | Survival Media Agency

03/20/2026

Join CGRS and the Kairos Center at the Supreme Court as we raise our voices for people seeking safety!

On March 24, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Noem v. Al Otro Lado, a case with major stakes for people seeking refuge at the U.S.-Mexico border.

We are proud to represent Al Otro Lado in this case, alongside our partners at the Center for Constitutional Rights, Democracy Forward, American Immigration Council, and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.

Before the hearing, faith leaders and immigrant rights advocates will hold an interfaith vigil and rally on the steps of SCOTUS at 8 am ET.

Together, we will sing and pray as we declare "No turning back" on the legal and sacred right to seek asylum.

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¡Únete a nosotros en la Corte Suprema mientras alzamos la voz por quienes buscan protección!

El 24 de marzo, la Corte Suprema escuchará los argumentos orales en Noem v. Al Otro Lado, un caso con grandes implicaciones para las personas que buscan refugio en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México.

Antes de la audiencia, líderes religiosos y defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes se reunirán en los escalones de la Corte Suprema a las 8 a.m. ET para una vigilia interreligiosa y una manifestación.

Juntos cantaremos y rezaremos, declarando 'Sin vuelta atrás' por el derecho legal y sagrado a solicitor asilo.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/no-turning-back-faith-vigil-to-defend-the-right-to-asylum-tickets-1985115167905?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/18/2026

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court for the green light to close the door on people seeking safety at our southern border.

Next Tuesday, CGRS, Al Otro Lado, and our partners are headed to SCOTUS to fight back.

With partners working along the border, Al Otro Lado shares why asylum matters, and why we can never turn our backs on families, children, and adults seeking refuge at our nation’s doorstep.

Video by Eric Vasquez Media

The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project Kino Border Initiative / Iniciativa Kino para la Frontera Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center Haitian Bridge Alliance The Sidewalk School for Children Asylum Seekers

03/16/2026

⏰In eight days, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case with major implications for the rights of people seeking safety at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Hear our Litigation Director Melissa Crow break down how we got here and what you need to know about the Noem v. Al Otro Lado case.

We are proud to represent our partners at Al Otro Lado along with a class of asylum seekers harmed by the government's illegal turnback policy, with our co-counsel at Center for Constitutional Rights, American Immigration Council, Democracy Forward, and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.

Learn more about the case and how you can take action at www.asylumsaveslives.org

03/02/2026

CGRS is excited to announce the official launch of our Refugee Leadership Program and welcome our two inaugural Fellows, A.R. and P.Z.*

A.R. fled Iran as a teenager with her family when her father was targeted by the government as a political opponent. Based on the East Coast, A.R. is currently finishing a master’s program in Near Eastern Studies and will start law school this fall.

“CGRS’s Refugee Leaders Fellowship has been a career-defining moment for me, and it has solidified my decision to pursue a career in immigration and refugee law,” A.R. says. "I am beyond grateful for the experience and excited to work closely with the litigation team at CGRS.”

P.Z. was forced to leave their Central Asian country where they faced persecution by the government for their human rights activism. P.Z. currently lives on the West Coast, where they continue their advocacy while enrolled in a graduate program.

“I am excited to develop my skills in project management, fundraising, and advocacy,” P.Z. says. "I will focus on developing a culturally sensitive and language-accessible toolkit for newcomers to get easier access to crucial services as well as simplify navigation through the U.S. asylum system."

Learn more about the program: https://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/en/news/cgrs-launches-inaugural-refugee-leadership-program-2026

*Initials used to protect Fellows’ privacy

01/29/2026

This spring the Supreme Court will hear arguments in our lawsuit Noem v. Al Otro Lado, a case with major implications for the future of asylum at the U.S. southern border.

Today, with our partners at Al Otro Lado, Center for Constitutional Rights, and Democracy Forward, we’re excited to launch No Turning Back, a national campaign affirming that asylum saves lives and defending the right to seek safety at our nation’s doorstep. As the Supreme Court hearing approaches, we’re mobilizing communities and advocates nationwide to stand up for asylum.

Learn more and get involved at asylumsaveslives.org.

12/02/2025

This , become a monthly sustainer to defend asylum rights!

For just $15/month, you’ll drive lasting impact all year long. As a thank you for your sustained support, you’ll receive a complimentary t-shirt after your third month of giving. Donate at the link below!

Sustainer gifts help us defend the rights of people seeking asylum today while planning strategically for the future. Your support will strengthen our litigation and advocacy efforts as we head to the Supreme Court and challenge other restrictive border policies.

ICYMI: in November, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to review the Ninth Circuit's decision in our case, Al Otro Lado v. Noem, which had affirmed the United States’ obligation to protect people seeking safety at our borders. Now, the Trump administration is attempting to unravel this hard-won progress.

This case has the ability to set a major precedent that protects the fundamental right to seek asylum at our southern border.

We need your sustained support to help weather us through long legal battles ahead.

This is a limited time offer! Sign up to join our monthly sustainer program today and receive a thank you gift while supplies last.

Donate at this link and select your t-shirt size at check out: https://bit.ly/cgrsgivingtuesday

T-shirts will be shipped approximately 30 days after your third monthly gift.

T-shirt artwork by: Joanne Trinh

Address

200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA
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Website

http://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/

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