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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 Our TA Library also includes a wide range of third-party materials such as sample briefs, unpublished decisions, and resources authored by other organizations.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
Feb 29, 2024
New CGRS Webinar: Overview to Working with Expert Witnesses in Asylum and Related Claims
In this training, CGRS attorneys discuss when expert witnesses may be useful, how they can benefit fear of return cases, best practices for vetting experts for an individual case, and identifying the major steps in working together from the initial conversation to the conclusion of proceedings.
Dec 22, 2023
New CGRS Country Conditions Toolkit: Violence Against Women in Mexico
This country conditions toolkit contains pertinent resources on the historical and social context of violence against women in Mexico, including up-to-date information on current conditions. Resources highlight the prevalence of this type of harm, as well as how specific groups are impacted by violence, including women with disabilities, human rights defenders, children, and more.
Dec 21, 2023
New Expert Declaration: Michele M. Stephens on Violence Against Women in Mexico
This universal expert declaration by Michele M. Stephens provides background on the violence that Mexican women and girls face. The declaration draws on her experience as an expert on gender-based violence in Mexico to conclude that Mexican women and girls face constant exposure to violence due to a lack of adequate protection from existing laws, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary.
Dec 12, 2023
New CGRS Webinar: Attorney Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Asylum Cases
CGRS has added a new webinar that provides 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, including considerations for dual representation, conflict of interest, the tension between zealous representation and candor the tribunal, indicia of fraud, withdrawal of representation, and other situations.
Dec 7, 2023
New CGRS Practice Advisory: Screening for Asylum Eligibility in Children's Claims
This practice advisory is geared towards lawyer and non-lawyer advocates conducting intakes of young people. It provides an overview of the legal standards for the purposes of screening for asylum eligibility. An appendix to the advisory contains a practical screening assessment tool that advocates may use in applying the facts of a case to the legal framework for asylum.
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.
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.

Mar 21, 2024
CGRS Webinar: Country Conditions Research and Evidentiary Submissions in Affirmative Asylum Proceedings
This webinar will provide an overview on why country conditions evidence is important to support asylum claims. CGRS-California staff will discuss how to conduct country conditions research, including sources and databases to consider, and how to organize evidentiary submissions for the asylum office.
Apr 23, 2024
CGRS Webinar: Leveraging CGRS Technical Assistance to Support a Client’s Fear-of-Return Claim
This webinar will demonstrate how advocates handling fear-of-return claims can leverage the free resources provided by CGRS’s TA Program. We'll showcase new features on our site, provide guidance on obtaining tailored resources for your cases, and offer tips on utilizing these materials effectively, including detailed information on how to use CGRS’s Country Conditions Toolkits.
May 16, 2024
CGRS MCLE Webinar: Representing Asylum Seekers Who May Be Subject to the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule
Please join CGRS for a webinar on the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule. CGRS attorneys will discuss to whom the Rule applies, who may claim an exception, and when the presumption of ineligibility may be rebutted.
Jun 6, 2024
CGRS MCLE Webinar: Overview to Affirmative Asylum Procedure
Please join CGRS for a virtual MCLE webinar on affirmative asylum procedure. We will discuss which agency and asylum office has jurisdiction over an applicant’s case, and which federal court precedent applies. We will cover the mechanics of filing an I-589 application, including tips to avoid a rejection. This webinar will discuss what to expect after the I-589 has been filed as well as flag events that may stop the Employment Authorization Document clock.
Other TA Program News and Updates
New case intake form feature
CGRS has added a field to our case intake form to track asylum ban cases.
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.