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 Our TA Library also includes a wide range of third-party materials such as sample briefs, unpublished decisions, and resources authored by other organizations.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
Access through the TA Library
May 24, 2023
New and Updated El Salvador Universal Expert Declarations
CGRS has added 2 new expert declarations from El Salvador expert Jeannette Aguilar to the TA Library, containing up-to-date information on gang violence and the State of Exception and harm to women.
Access in the TAL
May 24, 2023
new CGRS russia country conditions toolkit on ethnicity and political opinion
New Country Conditions Toolkit
This country conditions toolkit provides advocates with sources to begin their research to corroborate claims from political dissidents and ethnic minorities from Russia.
Access in the TAL
May 24, 2023
New Afghanistan Universal Expert Declarations
CGRS has added 3 new universal declarations on Afghanistan to the TAL, covering Afghan ID documents, harm to Western-affiliated individuals, and harm to women and Hazara individuals.
Access in the TAL
May 18, 2023
cgrs FAQ on permanent injunction in Al Otro Lado v. Mayorkas
New Practice Advisory
This practice advisory discusses the Al Otro Lado litigation and covers frequently asked questions about the court’s permanent injunction, which restored asylum eligibility for certain individuals turned back at ports of entry before July 16, 2019.
Access in the TAL
May 12, 2023
asylum overview cgrs practice advisory
New Practice Advisory
This advisory provides an introduction to the law governing asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the bars to these forms of relief.
Access in the TAL
May 11, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording
This CGRS webinar discusses the current situation of gangs and the ongoing State of Exception (Régimen de Excepción) in El Salvador, focusing on its potential impact on children's asylum claims involving fear of gang violence.
Access in the TAL
May 4, 2023
Use the Resource Library
New CGRS Webinar Recording
This webinar focuses on utilizing the resources provided through the CGRS TA program for effective representation in asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture claims.
Access in the TAL
Apr 27, 2023
New CGRS Report
This report presents an overview of the legal and policy context for the administration’s proposed “asylum ban” and highlights the inability of nine common transit countries – Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador – to provide protection to asylum seekers.
Access in the TAL
Apr 14, 2023
New CGRS Country Conditions Toolkit
This country conditions toolkit addresses discrimination and violence faced by religious minorities in India.
Access in the TAL
Apr 13, 2023
New CGRS Webinar Recording: Introduction to Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture Protection for Children's Claims
This webinar is intended for advocates working with unaccompanied children who are either new to asylum law or need a refresher on the substantive legal elements of fear-of-return claims.
Access in the TAL
Mar 30, 2023
New CGRS Practice Advisory
This practice advisory outlines legal standards, strategies and contextual information related to proving persecution for applicants of asylum and statutory withholding of removal, including addressing the issue on appeal and standard of review.
Access in the TAL
Mar 30, 2023
new cgrs practice advisory: conducting country conditions research
New CGRS Practice Advisory
This practice advisory provides advocates with practical guidance, including research suggestions and sample templates, on obtaining country conditions documentation to support asylum cases.
Access in the TAL
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@uchastings.edu.

Aug 3, 2023
CGRS MCLE Webinar: Introduction to Asylum Claims Based on Particular Social Groups
This webinar is suitable for participants who are new to particular social group (PSG) claims or who are seeking a foundational review of this area of law. Click the link below for more information.
Register here
Aug 24, 2023
CA Legal Ethics CGRS MCLE Webinar: Self-Care as a Professional Responsibility with Chair Yoga
This webinar will discuss ethical issues posed by unaddressed burnout and vicarious trauma, on both an individual and organizational level. Click the link below for more information.
Register here
Sep 14, 2023
CGRS MCLE Webinar: Dealing with Circularity in Particular Social Group Definitions
What is “circularity,” and why can it pose challenges in defining a cognizable particular social group? Are circular groups ever permissible? Come learn how to navigate this important aspect of social group cognizability. Click the link below for more information.
Register here
Other TA Program News and Updates
Provide feedback on TA
CGRS is currently conducting a survey to gather feedback on our TA program.
Click here to take the survey
New feature in the Expert Witness Database
Organizations or clinics offering expert evaluations are now listed in the Expert Witness Database.
Browse the 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.
Learn more
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.
Submit here
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.

Donate here