Immigration Attorney in Miami — Sandra I. Murado

Immigration law affects where you can live, work and raise your family. Attorney Sandra I. Murado practices immigration law only. From her office in Coral Gables, she represents individuals, families and businesses across Miami-Dade County in English and Spanish. This page explains the types of cases the office handles, how a case usually moves forward, where the local immigration courts and USCIS offices are, and what has changed in U.S. immigration in 2025 and 2026.

What immigration cases does attorney Sandra I. Murado handle?

The office handles a wide range of immigration matters, from first visa applications to cases before the immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. The main areas are described below. Each case depends on its own facts, so these summaries are a starting point, not a substitute for advice on your situation.

Asylum

Asylum protects people who have been persecuted, or fear persecution, in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. An applicant must be physically present in the United States and generally must file Form I-589 within one year of arrival, with limited exceptions. Asylum can be requested affirmatively with USCIS or, for people already in removal proceedings, defensively before an immigration judge. Learn more about asylum in Miami.

Deportation and removal defense

Removal proceedings usually begin when the Department of Homeland Security files a Notice to Appear with the immigration court. The person then appears before an immigration judge, who decides whether the person can be removed and whether any relief applies, such as asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status or voluntary departure. Attorney Sandra I. Murado reviews the charges, the evidence and the available defenses, and represents clients at their hearings. See deportation defense in Miami and the immigration court in Miami.

Detention and bond hearings

When a family member is detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the first questions are usually where the person is held and whether release on bond is possible. Eligibility for a bond hearing now depends heavily on how the person entered the United States and on their immigration history. The office can review the case and explain which options may be available. Read the FAQ about immigration bonds in Miami.

Family green cards, marriage and fiancé(e) visas

U.S. citizens can file Form I-130 for a spouse, children, parents and brothers or sisters (to petition for a parent or a sibling, the citizen must be at least 21). Green card holders can petition for a spouse and unmarried children. A U.S. citizen who plans to marry a partner abroad can file Form I-129F for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa; the couple must marry within 90 days after the fiancé(e) is admitted, and the spouse can then apply for a green card. The office prepares petitions, gathers evidence of the relationship and prepares couples for the interview. More on the spouse visa and how to obtain a green card.

Employment green cards and work visas

Many employment-based green cards require an employer to sponsor the worker, and some categories first require a labor certification from the Department of Labor. Temporary work visas, such as H-1B, L-1 and O-1, each have their own requirements and limits. Attorney Sandra I. Murado works with employers and employees to identify a suitable category and prepare the filings. See employment-based permanent residence and the temporary worker visa page.

Cuban Adjustment Act and I-220A situations

The Cuban Adjustment Act allows a native or citizen of Cuba to apply for a green card if the person was inspected and admitted or paroled after January 1, 1959, has been physically present in the United States for at least one year, and is admissible. A spouse or unmarried child under 21 who lives with the Cuban applicant may also qualify. Many Cubans in South Florida were released with Form I-220A, an order of release on recognizance. Whether that release counts as parole for the Cuban Adjustment Act is a contested legal question, so each case needs a careful review of the person's documents and of the law at the time of filing. Read more about the Cuban Adjustment Act.

Citizenship and naturalization

Most permanent residents can apply for naturalization after five years as a green card holder, or after three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Applicants must also meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements, show good moral character, and pass the English and civics tests. The office reviews travel history, any arrests and tax issues before filing Form N-400, because these can affect eligibility. See citizenship and naturalization and the naturalization requirements.

Investor visas (E-2 and EB-5)

The E-2 treaty investor visa allows nationals of certain treaty countries to live in the United States while developing and directing a business in which they have invested a substantial amount. The EB-5 program is a route to a green card for investors who make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers. Investment amounts and rules are set by law and can change, so they should be checked against USCIS guidance at the time of filing. Learn about obtaining an investor visa in Miami.

Immigration appeals

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. It hears appeals from certain decisions of immigration judges and certain DHS decisions, such as denied I-130 family petitions. The BIA generally decides appeals on the written record rather than in a courtroom, so the quality of the written brief matters. Appeal deadlines are short. See the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The office also assists with student, visitor and other nonimmigrant visas. For an overview, see the types of U.S. visas.

Who is attorney Sandra I. Murado?

Sandra I. Murado, Esq. is the President and Managing Attorney of the Law Offices of Sandra I. Murado, P.A. She has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1995 (Florida Bar No. 55549) and has more than 30 years of experience. Her practice is limited to immigration law.

• J.D., Florida State University College of Law
• B.S., Florida International University
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), South Florida Chapter
• Member, Dade County Bar Association
• Member, Broward County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Languages: English and Spanish

Her areas of practice include asylum, citizenship, deportation defense, family visas, green cards, immigration appeals, investment visas, marriage and fiancé(e) visas, and student, visitor and work visas. Read more about attorney Sandra I. Murado.

Where is the office?

The Law Offices of Sandra I. Murado, P.A. is located at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 504, Coral Gables, FL 33134. You can reach the office at (305) 448-4300. The office serves clients throughout Miami-Dade County, including Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Kendall, Doral, Homestead, Miami Beach and North Miami. See the areas we serve or use the contact page.

How does an immigration case work with the office?

Every case is different, but most matters follow the same general steps. The office cannot promise how long a government agency or court will take or what it will decide, but it can make sure your case is prepared carefully.

1. First call and case evaluation. You explain your situation by phone or through the free case evaluation form. The office identifies the main questions and any urgent deadlines, such as an upcoming hearing.
2. Document review. Attorney Sandra I. Murado reviews your passport, entry documents, prior applications, court papers and any notices from USCIS, ICE or the immigration court.
3. Strategy. She explains which options may apply, the main risks, the forms and evidence needed, and the government filing fees.
4. Preparation and filing. The office prepares the forms, declarations and supporting evidence, checks them for consistency and files them with the correct agency or court.
5. Interview or hearing preparation. Before a USCIS interview, a consular interview or an immigration court hearing, the office prepares you for the questions you are likely to be asked and the documents to bring.
6. Follow-up. The office responds to requests for evidence, tracks the case, and advises on next steps after a decision, including appeals where appropriate.

Where are the immigration courts and USCIS offices near Miami?

Removal cases in South Florida are heard by immigration courts run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the U.S. Department of Justice. Applications for green cards, citizenship and other benefits are handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Always confirm the location and time on your own hearing or appointment notice.

Immigration courts

• Miami Immigration Court: One Riverview Square, 333 S. Miami Avenue, Suite 700, Miami, FL 33130.
• Miami Krome (Detained) Immigration Court: Krome North Processing Center, 18201 SW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33194. It hears cases of detained people and also uses a hearing location at the Broward Transitional Center, 3900 N Powerline Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33073.

Court details can change. Check the official Miami Immigration Court page and the Miami Krome Immigration Court page before your hearing.

USCIS field offices

USCIS field offices in the area include the Miami, Kendall, Hialeah and Oakland Park field offices. USCIS field offices do not accept walk-ins; you must have an appointment. Your interview notice states which office will handle your appointment, and it may differ from the office that handled an earlier step. Use the USCIS Field Office Locator and your notice to confirm the address. Since May 18, 2026, USCIS generally requires attorneys and accredited representatives to attend field office interviews in person, with limited exceptions.

What changed in US immigration in 2025-2026?

Immigration rules changed often in 2025 and 2026, and several changes are still being challenged in court. The summary below is based on official government sources as of October 29, 2026. Because the situation is moving, check the official page or speak with an attorney before acting.

• Asylum fees under H.R.1. A $100 fee now applies to Form I-589 and cannot be waived or reduced. People with a pending asylum application may also owe an annual asylum fee, and new fees apply to work permits for asylum applicants, parolees and TPS holders. A federal court temporarily stayed the annual fee notices in October 2025, and DHS later issued an interim final rule on these fees, effective May 29, 2026. Amounts are adjusted for inflation, so check the current USCIS fee information.
• End of CHNV parole. DHS terminated the parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV) by a Federal Register notice published on March 25, 2025.
• End of family reunification parole, including CFRP. A Federal Register notice published on December 15, 2025 terminated nine family reunification parole programs, including the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program started in 2007 and the Haitian program started in 2014. Parole under these programs generally ended on January 14, 2026, with exceptions for people who had a Form I-485 filed by December 15, 2025 that remains pending, or who receive a case-by-case decision.
• Entry restrictions for Cuba and Venezuela. Proclamation 10949, effective June 9, 2025, suspended the entry of nationals of Cuba and Venezuela as immigrants and on B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, continued these partial restrictions and replaced the list of exceptions; the earlier general exception for certain immediate-family immigrant visas is no longer among them. Lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on a passport of a non-designated country, and visas issued before the effective date are not affected, and case-by-case exceptions remain possible.
• USCIS holds for nationals of restricted countries. USCIS policy memos of December 2, 2025 and January 1, 2026 placed pending asylum applications and many benefit requests from nationals of the restricted countries on hold. On August 24, 2026, a federal court in California enjoined both memos and ordered USCIS to adjudicate applications in the normal course; USCIS said it would comply pending possible further review.
• Bond hearings. On September 5, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals held in Matter of Yajure Hurtado that immigration judges lack authority to hear bond requests from people present in the United States without admission.
• New civics test. Naturalization applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test (up to 20 questions from a list of 128; 12 correct answers needed). See the USCIS study page.
• Fewer visa interview waivers. In 2025 the State Department narrowed the groups of nonimmigrant visa applicants who may skip the in-person interview, with updates effective September 2 and October 1, 2025. Consular officers can still require an interview in any case.
• Visa integrity fee. H.R.1 created a visa integrity fee payable when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. Federal agencies have said it requires coordination before it is implemented, so check the State Department's fee information for whether and how it is collected.
• Diversity Visa (DV) program. A State Department rule effective April 10, 2026 requires DV entrants to provide valid passport information. The State Department has also paused DV visa issuance, and the program's status has changed more than once, so check the official DV pages for current information.
• H-1B $100,000 payment. A proclamation effective September 19, 2025 imposed a $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions. On June 8, 2026, a federal court in Massachusetts vacated the agency guidance implementing it, and on July 24, 2026 the First Circuit denied the government's request for a stay. DHS says it is complying while it considers next steps, and a September 2026 proclamation renewed the requirement. Check USCIS for the current status.

Frequently asked questions

Does attorney Sandra I. Murado speak Spanish?

Yes. Attorney Sandra I. Murado works with clients in English and Spanish, so you can explain your situation and review your documents in the language you are most comfortable with.

Where is the office located?

The office is at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 504, Coral Gables, FL 33134. It serves clients across Miami-Dade County. Call (305) 448-4300 to arrange a consultation.

Is there a deadline to apply for asylum?

Generally, Form I-589 must be filed within one year of arriving in the United States. There are limited exceptions, so anyone who has passed or is close to the one-year mark should get legal advice promptly.

Is there now a fee to apply for asylum?

Yes. Under H.R.1, a $100 fee applies to Form I-589 and cannot be waived, and people with a pending asylum application may owe an annual asylum fee. Parts of the annual fee have been litigated, so check the current USCIS fee information before filing.

What should I do if I receive a Notice to Appear?

Read it carefully, note the hearing date and court, and keep your address updated with the court. Missing a hearing can lead to an order of removal in your absence. Contact an immigration attorney as early as possible to review your options.

Can a person detained by ICE get a bond hearing?

It depends on how the person entered the United States and on their history. In 2025 the Board of Immigration Appeals held in Matter of Yajure Hurtado that immigration judges lack authority to grant bond to people present without admission, so each case needs an individual review.

Can Cubans who entered with Form I-220A apply under the Cuban Adjustment Act?

The Cuban Adjustment Act requires, among other things, that the person was inspected and admitted or paroled. Whether a release on Form I-220A counts as parole is a contested legal question, so the answer depends on the person's documents and the law at the time of filing.

How long must I be a green card holder before applying for citizenship?

Most applicants must be permanent residents for at least five years, or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen, and must also meet residence, physical presence, English, civics and good moral character requirements.

Which civics test will I take for naturalization?

Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from a list of 128, with 12 correct answers needed to pass. Earlier filers take the 2008 test.

Does contacting the office create an attorney-client relationship?

No. Calling the office or sending information through the website does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Information on this website is general and is not legal advice for your situation.

How can you contact attorney Sandra I. Murado?

If you have an immigration question, a deadline or an upcoming hearing, call the office at (305) 448-4300 or request a free case evaluation. Attorney Sandra I. Murado will review your situation in English or Spanish and explain the options that may apply. The information on this website is general information, not legal advice, and contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. This website belongs to the Bridgewest international legal network; legal services are provided by the Law Offices of Sandra I. Murado, P.A.