RCUSA welcomes CGRS and CHIRLA as the coalition’s newest members

Washington, DC – At their March meeting last week, RCUSA’s board of directors voted unanimously to welcome the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS) and CHIRLA (the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) as the newest members of Refugee Council USA.

“We are thrilled to welcome CGRS and CHIRLA to RCUSA,” said RCUSA Executive Director John Slocum. “These two organizations, each leaders in the field, bring with them deep and impressive legacies of advocacy and organizing. Their voices and expertise will be of critical importance as our coalition faces ongoing challenges to our country’s humanitarian protection programs.”

Based at UC College of the Law, San Francisco, CGRS  leverages their research and legal expertise to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, with a particular focus on the needs of women, children, LGBTQI+ people, and others who have fled gender-based violence. CGRS also provides world-class legal analysis and guidance on climate displacement issues.

CHIRLA organizes toward building a just society, with full inclusion of immigrant community members. While CHIRLA’s work is rooted in Los Angeles, California, their advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers, and their leadership within the broader immigrant rights movement, has long played a key role in national organizing efforts.

Media Contact: Sarah Seniuk, sseniuk@rcusa.org

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically

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