Long lines were seen outside immigration court in Miami on Tuesday, and the move from virtual to in-person appointments is contributing to longer wait times. Starting today, the Miami Immigration Court has permanently eliminated remote hearing options, requiring all immigrants to appear in person for both Master (preliminary) and Individual (substantive) hearings.
What changed
Beginning September 8, 2026, all immigrants with pending cases before the Miami Immigration Court will be required to attend their hearings in person. This change permanently eliminates the option to attend hearings via videoconference using the Cisco WebEx platform, which had been available since the COVID-19 pandemic and continued as an alternative for certain cases in subsequent years. This announcement was made by journalist Daniel Benítez and confirmed by several law firms on social media, referencing an official communication from the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge to attorneys in the area.
The policy applies to all pending cases in the Miami jurisdiction, regardless of case type or hearing stage.
Additionally, the Miami court is implementing a new Trump administration tactic, known as “mega master” calendar hearings,” designed to quickly deport people. Under the old system, each judge would handle about three dozen cases per day. But now, judges more regularly have a docket of over 100 people, and they are seeing dozens of immigrant cases at once.
Why it matters
This change has immediate and serious operational consequences for practitioners and clients:
Attendance risk. Failing to appear at a scheduled hearing can result in a deportation order in absentia, which means you could be deported without having your case heard. Every client must now travel to Miami in person—no exception for remote locations, illness without postponement, or childcare barriers.
Scheduling bottlenecks. People are also showing up late to their court appointments because they are waiting in line for hours. Clients who arrive late risk default deportation orders. This is not a minor administrative inconvenience; it is a risk factor in every case.
Massive dockets compound the problem. Judges are now hearing 100+ cases per day instead of three dozen. This changes the depth of adjudication possible and increases the importance of advance case preparation and written submissions.
Travel burden shifts costs. Clients from out of state or outside South Florida (like Orlando, cited in reporting) must now plan and pay for transportation, time off work, childcare, and potentially lodging—barriers that disproportionately affect unrepresented applicants.
Way forward
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Update all client notices and retainer agreements immediately to reflect the in-person-only requirement. Specify travel deadlines and arrival times well before the hearing appointment.
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Check the ECAS calendar constantly for your client’s hearing date. With mega-master dockets, changes can be issued on short notice. Abogados recomiendan revisar constantemente el sistema de la corte, llegar temprano y no faltar a las citas para evitar consecuencias migratorias.
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Advise clients to arrive very early. Based on current reporting, arrivals of 6–6:30 a.m. for 8–8:30 a.m. hearings are not unusual. Account for parking and security screening time.
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Strengthen written submissions. With 100+ cases per day, oral argument time will be minimal. Focus on clear, concise legal briefs and evidence packages that judges can review in minutes.
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For represented clients, consider continuances strategically. If your client has genuine travel or preparation hardship, request a continuance in writing early, explaining the burden. But be warned: the court’s stated objective is rapid case resolution.
Disclaimer
This article explains a procedural change affecting the Miami Immigration Court and is not legal advice. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Miami court may issue further guidance or modifications without notice. Immigration court procedures are complex, outcomes depend on individual facts, and immigration law changes frequently. You should verify all current procedures against the primary EOIR/Miami court websites and consult a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case. Fola Forms is a software platform, not a law firm.