Tag: CGRS

Immigrant Advocates Rally in San Francisco to End Expulsions to Haiti and Defend Black Migrants

October 14, 2021

Today asylum seekers, advocates, and allies rallied on the steps of San Francisco City Hall demanding an end to Title 42 expulsions and other policies that harm Black people seeking safety in the United States. The groups gathered as part of a National Day of Protest in defense of Black immigrants called by the Haitian … More Immigrant Advocates Rally in San Francisco to End Expulsions to Haiti and Defend Black Migrants

Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

July 26, 2021

United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland Overturns Trump Asylum Precedent Excluding Domestic Violence Survivors: San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2021) – Today Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era asylum precedent that undermined protections for survivors of domestic violence and other gender-related persecution. In 2020 then-Attorney General William Barr issued the precedent, known as Matter … More Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

May 28, 2021

CGRS Concerned Biden Policies Will Undermine Fairness, Endanger Refugee Families The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the Biden administration will begin fast-tracking asylum cases for certain families seeking refuge. By establishing a “dedicated docket” for asylum-seeking families, the administration will sacrifice fairness in the name of … More Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

January 8, 2021

San Francisco, California (January 8, 2021) – Today the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction blocking a sweeping Trump administration rule that would gut protections for people fleeing persecution and torture. The injunction halts the new rule’s implementation nationwide ahead of its scheduled effective date of Monday, January … More Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

December 10, 2020

“I think it is even worse. I think he knows that this could be the most revengeful parting gift he is capable of delivering to the human rights world and Americans who care!”  Melanie Nathan San Francisco, CA (December 10, 2020) – Today the Trump administration announced the publication of sweeping regulations that will make it virtually impossible … More Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

November 18, 2020

District Court Blocks Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsions Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2020) – A district court today issued an order blocking application of the Trump administration’s “Title 42” order to all unaccompanied children, nationwide, in a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Civil Rights Project, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and … More Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

June 24, 2020

Federal Court Again Blocks Removal of Honduran Youth in First Challenge to Trump Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsion Order – Judge Says Trump Order Likely Unlawful A federal court has once again provisionally blocked the deportation of a Honduran boy in the first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s order restricting immigration at the border based on … More Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

CGRS Asylum 21St Century Victories

June 5, 2020

Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at Hastings Law School, San Francisco (CGRS), has published two new videos discussing the recent Sixth Circuit victories in Juan Antonio v. Barr and Guzman v. Barr, as a part of their “Asylum in the 21st Century: What’s New?” video series. Take a look: Juan Antonio v. Barr: In this case involving an indigenous … More CGRS Asylum 21St Century Victories

Important COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Resources for Immigrants, Advocates and Allies

April 22, 2020

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) at Hastings in San Francisco has compiled a bilingual (English/Spanish) COVID-19 resource guide for immigrant communities, advocates, and allies. Protecting the health of our most vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to fight for their rights. On this page HERE is a list of … More Important COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Resources for Immigrants, Advocates and Allies

Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

April 21, 2020

Last night Donald Trump current President of The United States,  announced by tweet plans to issue an executive order temporarily suspending all immigration to the United States. Comments in  response: Decrying the Trump Threat to Suspend Immigration Karen Musalo, Director of the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), shared the following comment: “Once again, … More Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy

April 16, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition is a proud signatory to this letter, in coalition with CGRS, tASISTA, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Tahirih Justice Center, and over 180 other organizations, which was sent today to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, calling on DHS to immediately rescind its policy of expelling asylum seekers at … More DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy

Ninth Circuit Halts Trump Administration’s Forced Return to Mexico Policy

February 28, 2020

San Francisco, CA (February 28, 2020) – Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Trump Administration’s dangerous Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the policy which forcibly returns asylum seekers to Mexico to await their immigration court dates in perilous conditions. The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and … More Ninth Circuit Halts Trump Administration’s Forced Return to Mexico Policy

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

U.S. States, UNHCR, CGRS Call on the Ninth Circuit to Block Asylum Ban 2.0

October 18, 2019

…… Trump delivering refugees into the hands of their persecutors…. San Francisco, CA – Earlier this week, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) filed an amicus brief in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Barr, the lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s most far-reaching attempt to slam the door on asylum seekers, the third country asylum rule. Dubbed “asylum ban 2.0” by advocates, … More U.S. States, UNHCR, CGRS Call on the Ninth Circuit to Block Asylum Ban 2.0

Denouncing Trump’s New Rule Shutting Down Access to Asylum

July 15, 2019

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the new interim final rule announced by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security today, which will deny asylum to those seeking protection at our southern border if they do not first apply for asylum from a third country while en route to the United States. This new … More Denouncing Trump’s New Rule Shutting Down Access to Asylum

Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

July 12, 2019

After postponing last month’s planned immigration sweep, the Trump Administration is now preparing to launch a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across major U.S. cities including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco. These raids, which are scheduled to commence on Sunday, will harm … More Planned Raids – Helping Immigrant Communities – What You Can Do

Trump Cruelty sets in as ICE prepares to Raid Families

June 21, 2019

The Washington Post is reporting that Donald Trump has directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct a mass roundup of migrant families that have received deportation orders, an operation that is likely to begin with predawn raids in major U.S. cities on Sunday, according to three U.S. officials with knowledge of the plans. … More Trump Cruelty sets in as ICE prepares to Raid Families

Trump White House Targets Asylum Seekers with Cruel Memorandum

May 1, 2019

This week the White House issued a presidential memorandum calling on the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to issue regulations that would impose onerous financial burdens on asylum seekers, undermine credible fear proceedings, and force judges to rush cases through the immigration court system, at the expense of due process. If enacted, … More Trump White House Targets Asylum Seekers with Cruel Memorandum

Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

February 14, 2019

San Francisco, CA (February 14, 2019) –- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s new policy forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico and remain there while their cases are considered. “The Trump administration is forcibly returning asylum … More Groups File Lawsuit Against Trump Policy Forcibly Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico

Danger for Asylum and Children with the Trump-McConnell Bill

January 24, 2019

CGRS Calls on Senate to Reject Trump-McConnell Bill, Reopen Government San Francisco, CA (January 24, 2019) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) urges the Senate to reject the “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act,” which was introduced by President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier this week. The Trump-McConnell … More Danger for Asylum and Children with the Trump-McConnell Bill

Condemnation of New Illegal Migration Protection Protocols

December 20, 2018

San Francisco, CA (December 20, 2018) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the new Migration Protection Protocols (MPP) announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this morning. Under this new policy, asylum seekers arriving at the United States’ southern border will be forced to wait in Mexico for the duration … More Condemnation of New Illegal Migration Protection Protocols

Court Rules Trump Policies Denying Asylum Protections to People Fleeing Domestic and Gang Violence Are Illegal

December 19, 2018

Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2018) – A federal court has struck down Trump administration policies that sought to gut asylum protections for immigrants fleeing domestic violence and gang brutality. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) challenged the administration’s new “expedited removal” policies when they were put forth by then-Attorney General … More Court Rules Trump Policies Denying Asylum Protections to People Fleeing Domestic and Gang Violence Are Illegal

Donald Trump Proclamation Set to Shut Down Access to Asylum

November 9, 2018

Today Trump issued a new Proclamation with the new interim final rule which would shut down access to asylum for many individuals and families fleeing life-threatening persecution. The rule would specifically preclude from protection those who cross the United States’ southwest border between official ports of entry. If implemented, it would result in the deportation … More Donald Trump Proclamation Set to Shut Down Access to Asylum

Speaking Out Against Trump Asylum Seeker Political Stunt

November 2, 2018

VIA CNN:  United States President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed he would sign an executive order “next week” aimed at restricting US asylum rules, as he seeks to use a group of Central American migrants heading for the US border as part of his midterm election closing argument. He also suggested that the US troops … More Speaking Out Against Trump Asylum Seeker Political Stunt

Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

July 2, 2018

Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2018) – A federal court has blocked the arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. It also ordered a case-by-case review of whether each asylum seeker in the class-action lawsuit should be released on humanitarian parole. The ruling stems from a challenge brought … More Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

Denouncing New Executive Order Expanding the Indefinite Detention of Families

June 21, 2018

San Francisco, CA (June 21, 2018) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) denounces the new Executive Order on the separation of immigrant families issued by the White House yesterday. The Order purports to put an end to family separations at the border, and its issuance is a testament to the overwhelming public outcry that arose … More Denouncing New Executive Order Expanding the Indefinite Detention of Families

Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

June 11, 2018

San Francisco, CA (June 11, 2018) – Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a deeply disappointing decision in an attempt to erode protections for domestic violence survivors and others who look to the United States for refuge. Invoking a rarely utilized power, Sessions reversed the Board of Immigration Appeals’ grant of asylum to a Salvadoran … More Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

Condemn Trump’s Cruel Separation of Babies from Moms – Join National Day of Action for Children

May 30, 2018

African Human Rights Coalition condemns the Trump administration assault on immigrants and asylum seekers: The Trump Administration has escalated the separation of families at the border, at great cost to the wellbeing and health of infants, toddlers, children and families. This insidious attempt to deter lawful immigration thwarts the intent of U.S. law, which is to grant asylum to … More Condemn Trump’s Cruel Separation of Babies from Moms – Join National Day of Action for Children

U.S. Refugee Program Can Continue under SCOTUS Ban Decision

June 27, 2017

 So what should happen to LGBT and other Refugees already accepted by the USA for resettlement after the US Supreme Court decided to allow a limited portion of the Muslim Travel Ban to stand: …. Read the position of CGRS in their response and the bottom line is we too at African Human Rights Coalition … More U.S. Refugee Program Can Continue under SCOTUS Ban Decision

Families Face Unconscionable Deportation

May 23, 2017

CGRS Files Amicus Brief in District Court Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania San Francisco, CA (May 22, 2017) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) and pro bono counsel Schnader, Harrison, … More Families Face Unconscionable Deportation