Orlando Immigration Court: what to expect
What the immigration court in Orlando, Florida handles, who it covers, how to check your case, what happens at each hearing, and what to do if you move or miss a hearing.
Have a case in immigration court?
Updated: November 2026
What the Orlando Immigration Court is
The Orlando Immigration Court is one of the immigration courts run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the U.S. Department of Justice. It is not a state court and it is not USCIS. Its job is to decide removal (deportation) cases: whether a person can stay in the United States, and on what basis.
In each case:
- an immigration judge (in Spanish, the juez de inmigración) hears the case and decides it;
- a government attorney from the Department of Homeland Security (ICE's Office of the Principal Legal Advisor) argues for removal;
- the person in proceedings, called the respondent, can be represented by a lawyer, but the government does not provide or pay for one.
Who the Orlando court covers
The immigration court in Orlando, Florida hears cases for people who live in Central Florida, the Tampa Bay area and North Florida. Which court handles your case depends on your address on file with the court, so it can change if you move and the case is transferred.
If a person is detained by ICE, their case is usually heard by the court assigned to the detention center, which may not be Orlando. If a family member was detained, see our page on court representation and bond.
Address and hearing location: always confirm the address, date and time on your own hearing notice before you go. Some hearings are held by video; your notice tells you how and where to appear.
What cases the immigration court handles
Most cases start when DHS files a Notice to Appear (NTA) with the court. Common issues at the Orlando immigration court include:
- Defenses against removal, such as asylum, withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture (this is why people sometimes call it "asylum court"), cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status before the judge.
- Bond hearings for people detained by ICE, when the judge has authority to set bond.
- Motions, such as motions to reopen a case, to change venue to another court, or to terminate proceedings.
- Voluntary departure, when no other relief is available.
USCIS applications that are not in court (family petitions, naturalization, most work permits) are not decided by the immigration judge, although some of them can affect a court case.
How to check your immigration court case
You can check your case 24 hours a day with your A-number (the 9-digit Alien Registration Number on your NTA and hearing notices; if yours has 8 digits, add a 0 at the start):
- Online: EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov shows your next hearing, the judge's decision if there is one, and appeal information.
- By phone: call EOIR's automated case information line at 1-800-898-7180.
Check your case regularly, not only when you get mail. Hearings are rescheduled often, and the court sends notices to the address it has on file.
Master calendar hearings vs. individual hearings
| Master calendar hearing | Individual (merits) hearing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A short, preliminary hearing, often with many cases on the same docket | Your trial, usually just your case |
| What happens | The judge confirms your name, address and language, you respond to the charges in the NTA, and you say which relief you will ask for | You testify under oath, your witnesses testify, and the government attorney can cross-examine you |
| Deadlines | The judge sets deadlines to file applications and evidence | Evidence must already be filed by the deadline the judge set |
| Decision | Usually no final decision, unless the case can be resolved that day | The judge usually decides the case, orally or in writing |
You may have more than one master calendar hearing before your individual hearing. The court provides an interpreter if you need one; tell the judge your best language.
Change of address: Form EOIR-33 within 5 days
If you move, you must tell the immigration court within 5 days using Form EOIR-33/IC (Change of Address/Contact Information). This is the single most important deadline for people with a pending case: if the court sends your hearing notice to your old address and you miss the hearing, the judge can still order you removed.
- Telling USCIS or ICE about your move does not update your address with the court. Report it to them separately (for USCIS, generally Form AR-11).
- If you have a lawyer, your lawyer can file the change of address for you.
- Keep a copy of what you file and proof of when you filed it.
What to bring to your hearing
- Your hearing notice and your NTA.
- A government-issued photo ID or passport. Immigration courts are in secure buildings with security screening, so allow extra time.
- Copies of any applications and evidence you already filed, and any documents the judge asked for. Documents in another language must be filed with a certified English translation.
- Your witnesses, if it's an individual hearing and the judge allowed them to testify.
- Contact information for your lawyer, if you have one.
Arrive early. Don't count on handing new evidence to the judge on the day of an individual hearing: the court generally requires it to be filed in advance.
What happens if you miss an immigration court hearing
If you miss a hearing without a valid reason, the judge can order you removed in absentia (in your absence). An in absentia order has serious consequences:
- ICE can detain and deport you based on that order.
- For 10 years you can lose eligibility for several forms of relief, such as cancellation of removal, voluntary departure and adjustment of status.
An in absentia order can sometimes be undone with a motion to reopen: generally within 180 days if you missed the hearing because of exceptional circumstances (for example a serious illness), or at any time if you never received proper notice of the hearing or were in custody and could not appear. These motions need evidence and must be filed correctly. If this happened to you, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Choosing an immigration court lawyer
Immigration court lawyers handle removal cases before the judge; not every immigration lawyer does court work. When you compare immigration lawyers for the Orlando court:
- Check their license. Make sure the person is a lawyer in good standing (for Florida, on The Florida Bar's website) or an accredited representative of a DOJ-recognized organization. Never hire a "notario" or "immigration consultant" to handle a court case.
- Ask whether they appear in immigration court regularly and who will actually appear at your hearings.
- Ask for the fee in writing, what it includes (master hearings, individual hearing, appeal) and whether there are payment plans.
- Be careful with "specialist" claims. In Florida, only lawyers certified by The Florida Bar in immigration and nationality law may call themselves specialists or experts.
- Avoid anyone who guarantees a result. No honest lawyer can promise how a judge will rule.
How we can help
We represent clients before the Orlando Immigration Court for a flat fee, in English or Spanish. Some of our services:
- Defense in immigration court: $4,500
- Asylum in immigration court (defensive): $6,500
- Immigration bond hearing: $2,000
- Motion to reopen or reconsider: $2,500
- Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals: $5,000
Read more about our immigration court representation, our defensive asylum work, or all our immigration services. We also serve clients from the Tampa Bay area.
Luis A. Morales has been a lawyer since 2001 and is admitted to practice in Florida and Puerto Rico. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a military legal officer. He handles each case personally, in English or Spanish, from 390 N Orange Ave, Suite 2300, in downtown Orlando. Start with a free 15-minute phone call; a longer or in-person consultation costs $150.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the immigration court in Orlando?
The Orlando Immigration Court is in Orlando, Florida. Because hearing locations and formats can change, always confirm the exact address, date and time on your own hearing notice, and check your case online or by phone before you go.
How do I check my immigration court case in Orlando?
Use EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov or call 1-800-898-7180. You need your A-number, the 9-digit number on your Notice to Appear and hearing notices.
Which areas does the Orlando Immigration Court cover?
It hears cases for people living in Central Florida, the Tampa Bay area and North Florida. Detained cases are usually heard by the court assigned to the detention center.
What is the difference between a master calendar hearing and an individual hearing?
The master calendar hearing is a short preliminary hearing where the judge reviews the charges, the relief you will request and the deadlines. The individual hearing is your trial: you testify, present witnesses and evidence, and the judge usually decides the case.
I moved. How do I change my address with the immigration court?
File Form EOIR-33/IC with the court within 5 days of moving. Updating your address with USCIS or ICE does not update it with the court, so do both.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?
The judge can order you removed in absentia. You may be able to reopen the case: generally within 180 days if exceptional circumstances caused you to miss it, or at any time if you did not receive proper notice. Talk to a lawyer right away.
Is the immigration court the same as asylum court?
There is no separate asylum court. Asylum requested as a defense against removal is decided by the immigration judge. Read what defensive asylum is.
Do I need a lawyer for immigration court?
You are not required to have one, and the government will not provide one. But the government is always represented by its own attorney, and the rules and deadlines are strict. Start with a free 15-minute call to review your case.
This guide is general information about the Orlando Immigration Court, not legal advice. EOIR procedures, hearing formats and rules change; confirm your hearing details on your notice and with EOIR, and get advice about your own case.
Have a hearing at the Orlando Immigration Court?
Don't go alone. Start with a free 15-minute call to review your case, in English or Spanish.