NIPNLG-NITA “Advocacy in Immigration Matters” Training December 2025

National Immigration Project & National Institute for Trial Advocacy

“Advocacy in Immigration Matters” Training

December 10-12, 2025

Application Deadline is Monday, November 3, 2025 at COB ET

The National Immigration Project is pleased to continue its partnership with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) to offer a four-day skills training for immigration court advocates. This training is ideal for immigrant defenders who have some court experience and want to improve their skills through an intensive experiential experience with meaningful feedback from experienced practitioners, including retired Immigration Judges. 

What skills will the program cover?

• Case analysis
• Direct examination
• Responding to DHS objections
• Offer of proof
• Making objections
• Re-Direct examination
• Accrediting the proposed expert witness
• Closing argument

What does the program encompass?

• Friday, December 5, 2025, from 12-2 PM ET: A 2-hour Zoom session on case analysis 
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 through Friday, December 12, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM ET each day: Court skills training

What are the preparation expectations?

Prior to December 10, selected participants are expected to:

• View a series of recorded NITA videos on trial skills,
• Review training materials, including the asylum case file, and
• Complete a case assessment exercise.

Selected participants should expect to spend approximately 8 hours preparing for the program. Please consider and be realistic about this time commitment— for both preparation for the program and the program itself— before applying.

How do I apply and when is the deadline?

To apply, please complete the application form found - HERE. Applications are due on Monday, November 3, 2025 at COB ET. 

How will NIPNLG select the participants?

Private attorneys and law school faculty members will be considered only if they are National Immigration Project members. Attorneys or fully accredited representatives working full-time at a non-profit regardless of National Immigration Project membership are eligible to apply. The National Immigration Project will also prioritize diversity, as well as applicants with scheduled individual hearings.

When will I find out about the status of my application?

The National Immigration Project will inform applicants of their status by Friday, November 7, COB ET. 

How do I register if I am selected?

If the application is approved, the applicant must submit the relevant registration fee and sign a certification affirming an understanding of the strict attendance expectations by Friday, November 14th COB ET. Failure to complete these requirements by Friday, November 14th COB ET will result in the selected participant forfeiting their spot in this training.

I need to cancel after registering.

If you cancel after registering, we cannot refund the registration unless someone from the waitlist is willing to take your place.

What are the attendance requirements?

In addition to being present live for the 2-hour case analysis session on December 5th, selected participants are expected to be present for the entire court skills program from Wednesday, December 10, 2025 through Friday, December 12, 2025. Selected participants should plan to arrive on time every day. Selected participants should not plan to leave before the program ends at 5:00PM on Friday. Selected participants should be mentally present during all aspects of the program, which includes answering email and taking calls during breaks only. 

Why are the attendance requirements so strict?

This program is unlike any other training you have experienced so this is a valid question. There are a few reasons for the strict attendance expectations. First, NITA will seek CLE credit on your behalf so long as you attend every aspect of the program. That is, NITA cannot seek partial CLE credit. Second, you are assigned to a small group of participants for the skills workshops and any changes to the small group participant number will impact the schedule timing. Third, this program builds on prior lessons so, if you miss one lesson, your learning and skills will be incomplete as you move forward.

I am an attorney. Will I get CLE credit for this training?

Yes. Also noted above, NITA will seek CLE credit on your behalf. The National Immigration Project will collect your bar number and the state where you are licensed and will provide that information to NITA. The number of approved CLE credits will depend on the schedule, but past participants have received approximately 15 CLE credits for similar in-person programs.

This program sounds intensive. Is it worth it? 

You be the judge. Here is some feedback from our June 2025 program:

• “This program has been outstanding! I would recommend it to any new immigration attorney that wants to learn the in-and-outs of trial advocacy, and feel more confident in attending hearings.”

• “Overall, I loved this program and have very little constructive feedback to share. The format of lecture then practice by doing is effective and I walked away feeling like I could actually implement these trial skills in real time versus just having a bunch of notes about trial skills that I may or may not return to later. The faculty was top-notch. Period. I appreciated the heavy emphasis on having immigration practitioners present however loved being able to get insight from defense attorneys who use the FRE on a more regular practice. I will be promoting this training for years to come. Thank you for an amazing 3 days.”

• “This program should be required for all new immigration attorneys- it was so helpful and I feel so much more confident about individual hearings than I did before participating in this program.”