The Miami Immigration Court announced that, starting September 8, all non-detained immigrants with pending cases must appear in person at hearings, ending the video participation option available since the beginning of the pandemic. The change affects both preliminary and individual hearings, at a time when Miami-Dade County already concentrates the highest number of pending deportation cases in the country, with 137,373 cases. Additionally, hearings originally scheduled for 2028 to 2030 are being moved up to between September and November 2026, after the arrival of 77 new judges, reducing the average notice period from 158 to just 42 days. Lawyers warn that absences or delays caused by long lines — which already extend to nearby hotels — can result in deportation in absentia, recommending arrival up to two hours before the scheduled time.
Nossa Gente03/09/26, 15:12
