Media Tools

Five Easy Steps to Prepare for Your Lobby Visit

6/11/18 AILA Doc. No. 15072400.

1. Coordinate with Your AILA Chapter

  • Reach out to your Chapter Advocacy Liaison to coordinate and ensure you are not duplicating efforts. Your Chapter Advocacy Liaison may also be able to provide additional information about the legislator and/or the staff you plan to meet.

2. Schedule a Meeting

Meetings with congressional offices are typically scheduled through the local office or the Scheduler in the Washington, D.C., office. To find the office locations and phone numbers for your legislators, enter your street address and zip code into AILA's Advocacy Action Center Directory.

  • Ask to speak with the staffer responsible for scheduling meetings.
  • Explain the purpose of the meeting and who will be attending. Pro Tip: Don't forget to mention you are a constituent or any other personal relationship you may have with the legislator.
  • If you don't get a meeting right away, don't give up. It may take a few follow-ups to get an appointment. Be persistent. Remember, as a constituent you have the right to meet with your elected officials or their staff.

3. Prepare for the Meeting

  • Use AILA's Advocacy Action Center to learn more about the legislator's position and voting history on immigration issues.
  • Gather information and examples on specific immigration issues that impact your district or state. The New American Economy's Map the Impact and the American Immigration Council's State Fact Sheets are great resources. Pro Tip: Use case examples and share stories from your personal experience. Examples conveyed in human and personal terms are easier to remember.
  • Know the counterarguments, and be ready to respectfully answer questions or respond to disagreements.
  • If you're meeting as a chapter or small group, make sure everyone connects ahead of time to discuss the agenda, the central message that should be conveyed, and what actions you are asking the legislator (or staff) to take.
  • For chapter or group meetings, make sure to also appoint one person to introduce the issue and facilitate the flow of the conversation and another person to take notes and follow up after the meeting.

4. Tips for a Successful Meeting

  • Arrive early, but don't expect the legislator or staff to arrive on time.
  • Make sure everyone introduces themselves and shares any special connections they may have with the elected official.
  • Explain the reason for the meeting and concerns simply, clearly, and directly. Be courteous and positive. Do not assume that your legislator or the staffer has any prior knowledge of the subject. Stay away from jargon and acronyms.
  • If you do not know the answer to a question, say so, and promise to get back with the answer. Be sure to follow up with an answer as quickly as possible after the meeting.

5. Follow Up After the Meeting