Resources List for AILA University Tutorial Videos

To help further your learning, AILA provides a resources list associated with each tutorial video. These linked resources include items mentioned by the video speakers, as well as AILA's suggestions for additional sources of information. You can find a video's specific place on the page via the button onscreen at the end of each video, and via the link in the description page for each video. You also are welcome to browse the full list here.

Consultations for Marriage-Based Adjustments of Status

Best practices for conducting a client consultation for a marriage-based adjustment of status.

Filing a Marriage Based Adjustment of Status

Best practices for conducting a client consultation for a marriage-based adjustment of status.

Basics of the Affidavit of Support for Marriage-Based Filings

This video will review the portion of the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for marriage-based filings which is the same for both self-employed and W-2 income.

W-2 Income on the Affidavit of Support for Marriage-Based Filings

Completing the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for marriage-based filings when the petitioner earns income as an employee with a W-2.

Self-Employed Income on the Affidavit of Support for Marriage-Based Filings

Completing the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for marriage-based filings when the petitioner is self-employed.

Demonstrating Specialty Occupation

How to show that a position is a “specialty occupation”

Duration of Specialty Occupation

How to prove continued availability of "specialty occupation" assignments for the requested duration of employment

H-1B Filing

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve

EB-1 Filing

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve

EB-2 Filing

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve

Creating a Letter of Support Template

How to create a template or sample letter in support of EB-1 or National Interest Waiver

Client Communication in Long Removal Cases

How to stay in touch with your client when their removal case may go on for 3, 4, or 5 years!

Can Visa Waiver Program Entrants File Adjustment of Status Applications?

Include consideration for the 90-day misrepresentation rule (AOS)

Advising Clients for an Adjustment of Status Fraud Interview

Tips for advising a client in advance of an adjustment of status fraud interview.

Lodging an Asylum Application at Immigration Court Without a Hearing

Forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case; how to deliver the form to the court; what you will receive back from the court administrator

Understanding the Five Grounds of Asylum

A brief look at the 5 categories of asylum: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership in a particular social group

Six Tips to Prepare for Direct Examination in an Asylum Hearing

How to organize and prepare for direct examination in court

I-140 Ability to Pay

How to prove “ability to pay” in support of Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker USCIS Form I-140

Financial Statements and Tax Returns for I-140 Ability to Pay

Interpreting financial statements and tax returns to show "ability to pay" for an I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Supplement J: What It Is and How to Complete It

Completing I-485 Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)

Visa Bulletin: Date for Filing vs. Date for Final Action

Understanding the "Date for Filing" and "Date for Final Action" in the Visa Bulletin

B-2 Filing at Consulate

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve

B-2 Filing Extension or Change of Status with USCIS

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve

H-1B End Client/Third-Party Worksite Evidence

When an H-1B beneficiary works at a third-party worksite, what evidence is needed to establish the employer-employee relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary?

The Scope of Work in Your Fee Agreement

Refine your fee agreement by carefully defining what the fee does not cover and when the representation ends along with clearly stating what your services include.

Clearing Checks

How to make sure a check clears, final settlement confirmations, and “wire fate”

Best Practices for Checks Payable to USCIS

How to submit a check to USCIS and make sure it has been received

Client Termination of Representation Letter

What does an attorney need to include in a letter terminating a client's representation?

What to Say About Compensation in an Office Procedures Manual

Let your staff know when their salary will be reevaluated. Distinguish between merit raises and cost of living raises and when they occur. Discuss bonus or incentive opportunities and how to qualify, Explain that salary may be based on education, experience, performance and firm finances. Explain overtime policies

What to Say About Leave in an Office Procedures Manual

Distinguish between different types of leave; illness, vacation, personal, holiday, bereavement. Discuss differences between salaried and non-salaried employees if leave differs.

What to Say About Dress Code in an Office Procedures Manual

Explain what you expect. Does dress code differ between back office or front office employees or by day of week (week day v. weekend). Are there casual days? Note that religious attire is permitted. Discuss dress code and safety issues.

What to Say About Scope of Responsibilities in an Office Procedures Manual

Include job descriptions for each job category and explain how jobs overlap. Discuss flow of work, who is responsible when someone is absent for day, week, month.

Tips to Prepare Your Client for an Asylum Interview at an Asylum Office

How to organize and prepare your client for the asylum interview.

Dual Intent in the Context of Adjustment of Status

Which categories of visas are dual intent, and why you can't just get a visitor visa and file from inside the US.

Dealing with Trauma to Discover Your Client's Story

Asylum seekers have much trauma that prevents them from telling their account of persecution. Here, we will provide tips on how to help your client discover their story and help the attorney tell their client's story.

When Can the 212(d)(3) Waiver Be Used for Undocumented and/or Unlawfully Present Clients?

This video will explore in what circumstances the 212(d)(3) waiver can be used.

How to Apply for the 212(d)(3) Waiver

This video will demonstrate how to prepare a 212(d)(3) waiver, and how it is submitted to the US Consulate or CBP.

Demonstrating "Specialized Knowledge" for an L-1B Filing

Suggestions and examples of what to include, common items USCIS will expect, what not to include.

Stateside L-1 Petition vs. Blanket L-1 Petition

The procedural differences and documentation differences between obtaining an L-1 approval through USCIS versus through the Consulate with a Blanket petition.

L-1B Filing

Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve.

Taxigration Basics

This video reviews the five basic principles of taxigration (the intersection of tax and immigration
law).

Five Reasons Why AILA Members Should Join the Global Migration Section (GMS)

This video provides an introduction to the AILA Global Migration Section (GMS) and gives the viewer five reasons why AILA members should join GMS.

Entering an Appearance in Immigration Court or the BIA

Navigating the e-registry and filing a new appearance between the Board and the Court.

Late Filings in Immigration Court

Can I include evidence if I missed the call up date? Emergency motions to accept the late-file documents, what to say on the call or voice message.

  • Asylum Cases on One-Year Filing Deadline
  • Preserving the One-Year Filing Deadline for Asylum Cases Stuck in the Immigration Court Backlog
  • Practice Alert: What Happens If the Government Shuts Down?

    • Preparing Clients for an Immigrant Visa Application at the Consulate

    How to advise clients to prepare for an immigrant visa application at the consulate.

  • Practice Pointer: Understanding the DOS Interim Final Rule on Public Charge Grounds
  • Practice Alert: DOS Consular Posts' Public-Facing Email Addresses
  • The Changing Immigration Environment and Challenges at U.S. Consular Posts in India
  • Learn What the National Visa Center Does
  • Immigrant Visa Interview Instructions from the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

    • Triggers for the USCIS Interview for Family-Based Cases

    What factors trigger a USCIS interview and current trends.

    How to Change Venue for a Removal Defense Case

    Pleadings requirements, acknowledging service of NTA, and stating relief. How to serve DHS, including the change of address form.

    Showing a "Qualifying Relationship" for the L-1 Visa

    Corporate documentation that may be used to show that entities (the entity at which an individual work/worked abroad and the entity to which the individual is being transferred in the U.S.) possess the appropriate qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliates, branch offices, joint venture).

    L-1A Filing (USCIS vs. CBP)

    Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve.

    H-1B Entry Level Specialty Occupation

    Entry-level workers applying for H-1B may be subject to greater scrutiny if they have a level-one wage. Learn to develop arguments such as the entry level duties rely on the skills from the B.A. degree and/or that the duties of the position can be complex and specialized even for an entry level position to help clients overcome this challenge.

    Six Steps to Overcome Procrastination

    This video provides six steps attorneys can take when faced with procrastination.

    Six Steps to Correct a Mistake

    This video provides a six-step process attorneys can follow to correct a mistake.

    EB-4 Filing

    Documents and forms that need to go with this filing in a basic case, what color to print each part, where to file, who else to serve.

    Establishing Continuity of Residence for Naturalization

    There is a rebuttable presumption that continuity of residence is disrupted if there is an absence of six (6) months or more. There are factors to use in establishing the continuity of residence and exemptions to consider to establish that the client has continuous residence.

    Defining Executive Capacity and How to Prove it in the L-1A/EB-1 Context

    In the L-1A/EB-1 context, an employer must categorize their beneficiary as either an executive or a manager. This video gives an overview of the definition of executive capacity, its requirements, and how to prove the beneficiary is functioning in an executive capacity.

    Defining Managerial Capacity and How to Prove it in the L-1A/EB-1 Context

    In the L-1A/EB-1 context, an employer must categorize their beneficiary as either an executive or a manager. This video gives an overview of the definition of managerial capacity, its requirements, and how to prove the beneficiary is functioning in a managerial capacity.

    Defining Functional Manager and How to Prove It in the L-1A/EB-1 Context

    What is a functional manager and how can you prove it in the L-1A/EB-1 context? This video gives an overview of the definition of functional manager, its requirements, and how to prove the beneficiary will be working as a functional manager.

    T Visas: How to Show "Present on Account of" Trafficking

    Learn tips for demonstrating this requirement, one of the most problematic for T visa petitioners.

    T Visas: How to Screen Consultations for Possible T Visa Relief

    Learn how to ask the right questions so you don't overlook possible T visa eligibility.

    U/T Visas: How to Apply for a Fee Waiver with the Vermont Service Center

    Recently, fee waiver requests have been routinely denied by VSC whereas previously they were almost a given. Learn tips to get your fee waiver request approved given VSC's new, more stringent adjudication process.

    Physical Presence and Continuous Residence

    How to assess and calculate physical presence and continuous residence for naturalization, and common issues with this.

    When Is an N-600 Rather Than an N-400 Proper?

    Details on when you use the USCIS N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship vs. the USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization.

    How to Request a Fee Waiver in Immigration Court

    When eligible, it is possible to request a fee waiver for defensive applications in Immigration Court. This tutorial will explain how to request a fee waiver as well as strategic considerations.

    Conflict of Interest and Affidavit of Support

    When your client does not meet the poverty guidelines, is there a conflict of interest in preparing the affidavit of support of the joint sponsor?

    The Ethics of Flat Fee Billing

    Where does the advanced payment of a flat fee go, trust or operating? How much should you refund if the engagement ends pri