When ICE detains a loved one or an NTA arrives in the mail, every hour matters. Our Orlando office is two miles from the Orlando Immigration Court at 3535 Lawton Road. We have defended Central Florida residents in removal proceedings since 1996 and we are available 24/7 for time-sensitive cases.
Time-sensitive Orlando situations we handle:
- A loved one was detained at home, work, or after a traffic stop in Orange/Seminole/Osceola County
- You received a Notice to Appear (Form I-862) for the Orlando Immigration Court
- You have an upcoming master calendar or merits hearing at 3535 Lawton Rd
- You missed an Orlando hearing and have an in absentia removal order
- A BIA appeal deadline is approaching (30 days from the judge's order)
- You need an emergency stay of removal
If your loved one was detained in the past 24-48 hours, please call us first — written form responses can wait, but bond hearings cannot.
The court at 3535 Lawton Rd — what we know
The Orlando Immigration Court at 3535 Lawton Road handles every removal case for Central Florida residents — Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Lake, Volusia, and Brevard counties. Each judge has different tendencies on bond amounts, continuances, motion practice, and case management. Strategy depends on which judge you draw.
Our office on Delaney Avenue is two miles from the court, which lets us file paper motions quickly when EOIR's electronic filing is down or when an emergency requires same-day delivery. We have appeared at the Orlando court many times since 1996 and have working relationships with the Office of Chief Counsel (the ICE attorneys who prosecute removal cases) — important for stipulations and prosecutorial discretion requests.
If your loved one was detained in Central Florida and transferred out of state (Krome, Glades, Stewart), we coordinate the bond hearing remotely while preparing the merits case for venue change back to Orlando when possible.
First 72 Hours Are Critical
What happens after a Central Florida detention
Detention & locator
ICE typically transfers detainees from Orlando-area arrests to Krome (Miami area), Glades, or Stewart (GA). We locate your loved one and identify the controlling jurisdiction.
Bond eligibility review
We file a bond motion with the Orlando Immigration Court and prepare evidence of community ties, employment, and family.
Bond hearing
Held before an Orlando immigration judge or via video link from the detention facility. With strong preparation, bond is set and your loved one comes home.
Defense strategy
Cancellation of removal, asylum, U-visa, adjustment, voluntary departure — we build the strongest available defense for the merits hearing.
What clients say
Mr. Gustavo Vargas was my lawyer twice, years ago for my immigration process and now for my husband's. He is extremely Professional and knowledgeable about the entire process. Both times it was a success story! Highly recommended. Thank you so much.alba inacio
Gustavo Z. Vargas, Esq.
Gustavo Vargas is Florida Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and has practiced exclusively in immigration since 1996, with extensive experience in deportation defense before the Orlando Immigration Court. He has presented oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Born in Lima, Peru, he speaks fluent Spanish.
Deportation defense in Orlando — questions we hear most
Where is the Orlando Immigration Court and how do I find it?
The Orlando Immigration Court is located at 3535 Lawton Road, Orlando, FL 32803, in the Federal Building. It is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department of Justice — separate from the federal District Court downtown. Our office is approximately 2 miles south on Delaney Avenue.
Where do ICE detainees from Central Florida get held?
Most ICE detainees from Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties are transported to Krome Service Processing Center near Miami, Glades County Detention in Moore Haven, Baker County Detention in Macclenny, FL, or Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. We can locate any detainee via the ICE Online Detainee Locator or by contacting the local ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) office.
Can you get a same-day bond hearing in Orlando?
Same-day hearings are rare but possible in genuine emergencies (medical, custody, or stay-of-removal scenarios). More commonly, bond hearings are scheduled within 5–10 days of a written motion. We file as soon as we are retained and request expedited dockets where the facts support it.
My loved one was just transferred to Stewart — do you still handle the case?
Yes. Bond hearings can be conducted remotely via video link from Stewart, and we appear via the same link from Orlando. The merits case can often be transferred back to the Orlando Immigration Court via a motion for change of venue once bond is granted. We do this regularly.
I missed a hearing in Orlando and got an in absentia order. Can it be reopened?
Often yes. Motions to reopen for in absentia orders can be filed within 180 days for exceptional circumstances or anytime for lack of proper notice or ineffective assistance of prior counsel. The standards differ depending on which ground you are using. Time is critical — call as soon as you realize what happened.
How fast can you start working on the case?
Same day, in genuine emergencies. Within 24 hours for retained cases without a same-day deadline. The first work is locator searches, file requests, and bond motion preparation; the actual hearings come a few days later.
Ready to talk about your case?
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. Confidential. Available in English or Spanish.
Visit our Orlando office
545 Delaney Ave, Building 4
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 835-1009
info@immlawcenter.com
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. 2 miles from the Orlando Immigration Court.
Photo credit: Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
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