Skip to main content

Your Immigration Attorney

Immigration Attorney in Orlando, FL: A Local Guide to Your Case

Your Immigration Attorney represents immigrants and families across Central Florida from our office in Maitland, a short drive north of downtown Orlando on I-4. Hablamos español.

If you are looking for an immigration attorney in Orlando, there is usually something urgent behind the search: a hearing date at the Orlando Immigration Court, an interview notice from USCIS, a deadline that is getting close, or a family member who was just detained. This guide explains where immigration cases in Orlando are actually handled, the types of cases our firm takes, what to do in the first days after you receive court papers, and how to choose a lawyer you can trust.

Orlando-area office
2300 Maitland Center Pkwy, Unit 122, Maitland, FL 32751
Phone
(888) 763-8472
Languages
English and Spanish
Fees
Flat fees on the majority of cases, quoted before work begins
Cases
Asylum, deportation defense, green cards, citizenship, marriage and family petitions, waivers, student and work visas
Service area
Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties, plus clients nationwide

Why a local immigration attorney matters in Orlando

Immigration law is federal. The same statutes and regulations apply in Orlando, Miami and Seattle, and an attorney licensed in any U.S. state can represent you before the immigration agencies. So why look for an immigration lawyer near Orlando?

Because the law is national, but your case is local. Your hearings are set on the calendar of a specific court. Your green card or citizenship interview is scheduled at a specific USCIS field office. If ICE requires check-ins, you report to a specific building on a specific day. An attorney with an office in Central Florida can meet with you in person, review original documents, prepare you face to face for testimony or an interview, and stand next to you on the day of your hearing.

Central Florida's immigrant community has also grown quickly. Families from Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and many other countries live and work in Orlando, Kissimmee and the surrounding cities, and the local court and USCIS office carry heavy caseloads as a result. When the system is crowded, preparation and deadlines carry more weight.

Where immigration cases are handled in Orlando

Three federal offices handle the in-person side of nearly every immigration matter for people who live in the Orlando area. Knowing which one has your case tells you what kind of help you need.

Federal immigration offices in Orlando, Florida
OfficeWhat happens thereAddress
Orlando Immigration CourtEOIR, U.S. Department of Justice Removal (deportation) proceedings, primarily for people who are not detained: master calendar hearings, individual hearings and filings with the immigration judge. 500 N. Orange Ave., Suite 1100
Orlando, FL 32801
Downtown Orlando
407-244-8900
USCIS Orlando Field OfficeU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Green card and citizenship interviews and other in-person appointments. Visitors are seen only with an appointment notice. 6680 Corporate Centre Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32822
Near Orlando International Airport
ICE Orlando officeEnforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Check-ins and reporting appointments for people under ICE supervision in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and nearby counties. 9495 Delegates Dr.
Orlando, FL 32837
South Orlando

Check the address. The Orlando Immigration Court moved in March 2024 from Lawton Road to its current downtown location on North Orange Avenue, and some websites still list the old address. Go by the address printed on your hearing notice, and confirm your next hearing through the EOIR Automated Case Information system or by calling 1-800-898-7180 with your A-number.

Two more details are worth knowing. People who are detained are usually assigned to the court connected to their detention facility, which may be outside Orlando. Fingerprint (biometrics) appointments take place at a USCIS Application Support Center, and the address is printed on your appointment notice.

Immigration cases we handle for Orlando clients

Our attorneys represent individuals and families in the matters below. Each link opens a page with more detail about that type of case.

Asylum

Protection for people who fear persecution in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. In general, an asylum application must be filed within one year of arriving in the United States, with limited exceptions, so timing matters.

Deportation defense

Representation in removal proceedings before the immigration judge, from the first master calendar hearing through the individual hearing. Depending on your history, defenses can include asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status or other relief.

New arrivals

If you arrived recently and are unsure about your status, your work authorization or your first deadlines, we review your documents and explain your options in plain language.

Green cards

Family-based and employment-based paths to permanent residence, whether you apply from inside the United States through adjustment of status or through a U.S. consulate abroad.

Marriage visas

Petitions for spouses and fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, including preparation for the marriage interview at the USCIS Orlando Field Office.

Citizenship

Permanent residents can generally apply for naturalization after five years, or after three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. We review your eligibility and any risks before you file, and prepare you for the English and civics test.

Waivers of inadmissibility

Some people are barred from a green card or visa because of unlawful presence, misrepresentation, a prior removal order or certain criminal history. A waiver, or in some cases permission to reapply, asks the government to forgive that ground so the case can move forward.

Motions to reopen

If you were ordered removed, including for missing a hearing, a motion to reopen may give you another chance. Deadlines are strict and in many cases run 90 days from the final order, so act quickly.

Student visas

F-1 and M-1 matters for international students at Central Florida schools such as UCF, Valencia College, Rollins College, Full Sail University and Seminole State College, including status problems and changes of status.

Non-immigrant visas

Temporary visas for work, business and travel, with options for professionals and for Central Florida employers that hire international talent.

Not sure which category fits your situation? Call (888) 763-8472

What to do if you receive a Notice to Appear in Orlando

A Notice to Appear (NTA) is the document that starts a removal case in immigration court. If you or a family member receives one, take these steps in order.

  1. Read every page. Find your A-number (the letter A followed by eight or nine digits), the charges and the court listed. The date and time of your hearing may arrive later in a separate hearing notice.
  2. Confirm your hearing. Check the EOIR Automated Case Information system online or call 1-800-898-7180. Dates change, and the system shows the current one.
  3. Never miss a hearing. If you do not appear, the judge can order you removed in your absence. Arrive early: the court is in downtown Orlando, and parking and security screening take time.
  4. Keep your address current. If you move, you must notify the court within five days using Form EOIR-33/IC. Notices are mailed to the address on file.
  5. Watch the asylum deadline. The one-year filing deadline for asylum generally keeps running while your court case is pending.
  6. Speak with an attorney before your first hearing. Bring every document you have received from immigration authorities, your passport and any prior applications.

If a family member is detained by ICE in Central Florida

Florida law requires local jails to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. An arrest in Orange, Osceola or Seminole County, including one that starts with a traffic stop, can lead to an immigration hold and a transfer to ICE custody. If that happens to someone in your family:

  • Find them. Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator with the person's A-number and country of birth, or their full name and country of birth. People detained in Central Florida are often transferred within days to facilities in other parts of Florida or out of state.
  • Gather documents. Collect their passport, any immigration papers, proof of how long they have lived in the United States and records of family ties.
  • Ask about bond early. Whether a person can request release on bond depends on how they entered the country, their record and court decisions that have been changing. Get an answer based on the specific facts.
  • Do not sign under pressure. The detained person can ask to speak with a lawyer before signing any document, including papers agreeing to leave the country.

A deportation defense attorney in Orlando can contact the facility, review the charging documents and tell you which options are open. Time matters, because transfers and hearings can move quickly.

How to choose an immigration attorney in Orlando

Your case may decide where your family lives and whether you can work, so choose carefully. Use this checklist when you compare Orlando immigration lawyers.

  • Confirm the license. Immigration law is federal, so your attorney may be licensed in Florida or in another state. Either way, you can verify the license and any discipline history with that state's bar, for example through The Florida Bar's member search.
  • Avoid "notarios" and consultants. In many Latin American countries a notario is a trained lawyer. In the United States, a notary public is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or represent you. Mistakes made by unlicensed preparers can be hard to undo.
  • Ask who will handle your case and how you will receive updates.
  • Get the fee in writing. A written agreement should state what is included. Government filing fees are separate and are set by the agencies.
  • Work in your language. You should be able to tell your story and understand every answer in the language you are comfortable with.
  • Be careful with guarantees. No attorney can promise an approval. A good consultation explains your options, the risks and a realistic timeline.

Our Orlando-area office in Maitland

Your Immigration Attorney has more than 20 years of combined experience in U.S. immigration law and represents clients in all 50 states. For Central Florida clients, our Maitland office is near the I-4 and Maitland Boulevard interchange, north of downtown Orlando and Winter Park. The firm's attorneys include Hector Diaz, a member of The Florida Bar and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Alessandra Diaz-Cappelleti and Tiffany Escobar. All three work with clients in English and Spanish.

  • Flat fees on the majority of cases, quoted before work begins.
  • Service in English and Spanish.
  • Regular updates by phone, email and in-person meetings when needed.
Your Immigration Attorney 2300 Maitland Center Pkwy, Unit 122
Maitland, FL 32751
(888) 763-8472
Get directions

We meet with clients from Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Sanford, Lake Mary, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Oviedo, St. Cloud, Poinciana and Clermont, in person in Maitland or remotely. We also have an office in Coral Gables for clients in the Miami area.

Orlando immigration attorney FAQ

Where is the immigration court in Orlando?

The Orlando Immigration Court is at 500 N. Orange Ave., Suite 1100, Orlando, FL 32801, in downtown Orlando. It moved there in March 2024 from its former location on Lawton Road. Always confirm the address and time on your hearing notice.

Where is the USCIS office in Orlando?

The USCIS Orlando Field Office is at 6680 Corporate Centre Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822, near Orlando International Airport. It sees people by appointment only, so bring your appointment notice and a photo ID.

How much does an immigration attorney in Orlando cost?

It depends on the type of case and how complex it is. Your Immigration Attorney charges flat fees on the majority of cases and tells you the price before work begins. Government filing fees are separate and change from time to time.

Do I need an attorney who is located in Orlando?

Not strictly. Immigration law is federal, and a licensed attorney from any state can represent you. A nearby office makes it easier to meet in person, prepare for testimony and have your attorney beside you at a hearing or interview in Orlando.

I missed my hearing at the Orlando Immigration Court. What can I do?

Contact an attorney right away. If the judge ordered you removed in your absence, a motion to reopen may be possible, but the deadlines are short and the grounds are limited. Bring any proof of why you missed the hearing or of notices you did not receive.

Do you offer consultations in Spanish?

Yes. Our team is bilingual, and you can speak with us in English or Spanish at our Maitland office or by phone at (888) 763-8472.

How long does an immigration case take in Orlando?

It varies by case type. USCIS publishes current processing times for the Orlando Field Office on its website, and court cases can take from several months to several years, depending on the judge's calendar and the relief requested.

Talk to an immigration attorney near Orlando

Call us or send a message. Tell us what you received, when your next date is and what you want to achieve. We will explain your options and the cost before you decide anything.

Your Immigration Attorney, 2300 Maitland Center Pkwy, Unit 122, Maitland, FL 32751