The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, based at UC Law SF, defends the human rights of courageous refugees seeking asylum in the United States. With strategic focus and unparalleled legal expertise, CGRS champions the most challenging cases, fights for due process, and promotes policies that deliver safety and justice to refugees. 

The Center was founded by Professor Karen Musalo in 1999 after achieving the first grant of asylum for a woman fleeing female genital cutting in the groundbreaking case, Matter of Kasinga. Professor Musalo grew the Center to meet the needs of attorneys requesting assistance in cases involving gender-based persecution, becoming one of the nation's leading authorities on asylum law. For 25 years, CGRS has played a key role in every major precedent-setting gender-based asylum case, paving new legal pathways and winning crucial victories to protect women, children, and LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Defending Asylum Seekers in the Courts

CGRS undertakes strategic litigation to advance sound asylum laws and protect due process rights. Our current docket includes federal lawsuits challenging anti-asylum border policies and high-impact appellate cases that present opportunities to restore paths to protection.

Empowering Advocates

We provide free expert consultation, litigation resources, and training to attorneys and advocates working with asylum seekers. We equip them with the tools and guidance they need to take on complex asylum cases and win life-saving protections for their clients.

Advocating for Just Policies

We advocate for the fair and dignified treatment of asylum seekers and promote policies that honor our country’s legal obligations to refugees. 

Learn more about our impact at https://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/