The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is a national advocacy organization based at UC Law San Francisco that defends the human rights of refugees seeking asylum in the United States. Founded in 1999 following the landmark Matter of Kasinga decision, CGRS provides legal expertise, training, and technical assistance to attorneys representing asylum seekers, undertakes strategic impact litigation, and engages in policy advocacy to advance gender-based and other refugee protections.
Immigration and asylum law, refugee protections, gender-based violence and gender asylum claims, LGBTQ refugee rights, due process in immigration proceedings, and U.S. compliance with international human rights obligations
Foundation grants, individual donations, and university-supported funding through the UC Law San Francisco Foundation
UC Law San Francisco; founder and director Karen Musalo; litigation partners including the Center for Constitutional Rights, American Immigration Council, Democracy Forward, and Al Otro Lado
Non-profit organization affiliated with an academic institution