Beginning September 8, 2026, all immigrants with pending cases before the Miami Immigration Court will be required to attend their hearings in person. 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.
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.
"Starting this September 8, 2026, all migrants with pending cases before the Immigration Court in Miami, Florida will have their hearings in person, not virtually, as authorities have informed immigration lawyers," Benítez stated in his publication.
The new rule applies to both preliminary (Master) and substantive (Individual) hearings and is exclusively for those under the jurisdiction of Miami.
Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement
"This is only for individuals under Miami's jurisdiction. As of now, this measure is being implemented only here, so if you live in another state or jurisdiction, you should check with your court," Benítez clarified.
One of the most serious risks migrants face is failing to appear at their hearing, which could result in a deportation order in absentia.
Consequences of Missing Court Dates
"It is crucial to know your appointment's date, time, and location in advance. Missing your court date could end in a deportation in absentia," Benítez emphasized, labeling the situation as urgent and noting that "this new action has sparked concern and fear among migrants due to arrests occurring in immigration courts across the country."
Immigration attorney José A. Guerrero confirmed the change in several videos. "We were informed that starting September 8, at the Miami Immigration Court, Florida, in non-detained cases, all hearings will be held in person. You must appear in person," he stated.
Advice for Asylum Seekers
He also warned asylum seekers to monitor their court dates in case they are rescheduled to an earlier time.
"You need to verify the dates you have with your court. Today, a client visited us and discovered on his own that his hearing had been moved up, and neither he nor I had received notification," he cautioned.
In his message, he stressed the importance of attending asylum hearings, as the consequences could be severe: "You will receive a deportation in absentia, and that's essentially the end. You lost your case without even speaking."
According to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), 68% of deportation orders against Cubans in June 2026 were for individuals who did not appear in court.
Impact on Cuban Migrants
This figure is particularly significant in the current context. Immigration courts have rapidly advanced hearing dates for Cubans with Form I-220A, with cases initially scheduled for 2028 and 2029 reassigned to immediate dates.
Immigration attorney Liudmila Marcelo warned in a July interview with CiberCuba that the acceleration of processes is a deliberate strategy: "They are speeding up the courts so much, it makes me think they want to do all this before I-220A becomes parole; to have the largest number of deportees possible."
This mandate for mandatory in-person attendance intensifies the dilemma faced by thousands of migrants. From January 2025 to April 2026, the ICE office in Miami recorded over 41,000 detentions, averaging 120 arrests per day.
In July 2026 alone, ICE processed nearly 6,000 individuals in detention centers in the area.
Although a federal judge in California suspended ICE policies in June 2026 that authorized widespread arrests in immigration courts, limited arrests continued, instilling fear among those required to appear in person.
For those with I-220A hearings and the possibility of being sent to court, this new requirement adds another layer of pressure to an already overstretched system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Immigration Court Changes
Why are the Miami Immigration Court hearings becoming strictly in-person?
The decision was made to eliminate virtual hearings and require in-person attendance to ensure better management and resolution of cases, as communicated by the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge.
What are the risks of not attending a scheduled immigration court hearing?
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.
How has the schedule for immigration court hearings changed for Cuban migrants?
Hearing dates for many Cuban migrants, initially set for 2028 and 2029, have been moved up to earlier dates, increasing pressure on those awaiting court decisions.