Traditionally, in-person workshop models for benefits such as naturalization, DACA and TPS are events in a physical location that bring together staff and trained volunteers to assist immigrants in completing an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many legal immigration service providers began experimenting with virtual workshops models in which all participants attended the workshop remotely via video conferencing platform or the phone.

As pandemic restrictions began to ease and community health conditions improved, community organizations began offering hybrid workshops, allowing attendees to choose if they would come to a physical location or participate virtually. In-person, virtual and hybrid models each have their own benefits and challenges that should be considered before holding a workshop. The chart and descriptions below lay out some of the benefits, challenges and limitations of each model to help you consider what is best for your organization and community.