The Cubans facing a migration process in Florida who cannot afford to hire a lawyer can seek free legal assistance from organizations that offer representation in asylum, deportation, and other immigration proceedings.

There are options in Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and other cities in the state, although obtaining assistance depends on the type of case, the requirements of each entity, and the availability of professionals.

The United States Department of Justice, through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), maintains an official list of attorneys and organizations that offer pro bono (free) services before immigration courts. The October 2026 version includes providers associated with the immigration courts in Miami, Krome, and Orlando.

Free assistance does not mean that all applicants will automatically receive a lawyer. Organizations must be contacted directly, as they may have eligibility requirements and may not always have the capacity to accept new cases.

Additionally, although individuals have the right to hire legal representation in their immigration proceedings, the U.S. government is generally not required to provide them with a free attorney as is the case in certain criminal proceedings.

Where to find a free immigration lawyer in Florida

Americans for Immigrant Justice (Miami)

This nonprofit organization provides legal assistance to immigrants, including asylum seekers and individuals facing deportation proceedings. It is listed as an official free provider for the immigration courts in Miami and Krome.

Phone: (305) 573-1106.

Email: info@aijustice.org

Website: aijustice.org

The registered mailing address is P.O. Box 520037, Miami, FL 33152. Before visiting in person, it is necessary to contact the organization to learn about their service procedures.

2. Church World Service (Miami, Doral, and Fort Lauderdale)

Church World Service offers legal guidance in deportation proceedings and assistance in matters such as asylum applications, status adjustments, cancellation of removal, and other forms of immigration protection.

Their program includes services in Spanish and has offices at various locations in South Florida.

Doral Office: 1924 NW 84 Avenue, Doral, FL 33126.

Phone: (305) 774-6770.

Fort Lauderdale Office: 3215 NW 10th Terrace, Suite 209 B, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.

Phone: (954) 689-6466.

The organization also has an office in Delray Beach, in Palm Beach County.

Website: cwssoutheast.org

3. MLK Public Interest Law Offices (Miami)

This organization is listed in the EOIR's free assistance roster and offers services related to asylum, cancellation of deportation, and certain specialized immigration procedures.

Address: 27 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33125.

Phone: (800) 505-0357.

Email: admin@mlkpilo.com

The entity informs that it offers assistance in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French. It is important to inquire beforehand if the case falls within the categories it accepts.

4. Catholic Charities of Central Florida (Orlando)

This is one of the most relevant options for Cubans living in Central Florida. According to the official list from October 2026, Catholic Charities of Central Florida is focusing its legal services on individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

The organization provides immigration representation for individuals who are not detained and offers assistance in Spanish.

Address: 1771 North Semoran Boulevard, Suite C, Orlando, FL 32807.

Phone: (407) 658-0110.

Email: legalservices@cflcc.org

Website: cflcc.org

Interested parties must explain their immigration situation to determine if they can receive free assistance and whether the organization is accepting new cases.

5. Florida Legal Services (Orlando)

Florida Legal Services is also listed in the federal directory for free representation for the Orlando immigration court.

Address: 934 N. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 227, Orlando, FL 32803.

Phone: (855) 573-5225.

Email: laura.pichardo-cruz@floridalegal.org

Website: floridalegal.org

The organization does not assist individuals who arrive without an appointment. It is necessary to call to request an evaluation.

6. Assistance for unaccompanied Cuban minors

Families seeking representation for minors who arrived in the United States without their parents or guardians can also turn to specialized organizations.

In Orlando, Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) handles cases of unaccompanied minors, including asylum proceedings and other immigration protection requests.

Phone: (689) 800-7515.

Email: infoorlando@supportkind.org

Website: supportkind.org

KIND does not accept walk-ins. Interested parties must call or write to request an appointment.

Another alternative is the Family and Immigration Rights Center (FIRC), based in Tallahassee, which provides free representation to unaccompanied minors in northern Florida and other areas of its coverage.

Phone: (850) 739-0017.

Email: info@firclaw.org

Website: firclaw.org

What to do if a Cuban is detained by ICE?

When a person is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), obtaining representation can be more complicated, especially if they are facing an upcoming hearing or a deportation order.

The Immigration Commission of the American Bar Association (ABA) provides an information service aimed at individuals in detention who require guidance to represent themselves.

Inmates at ICE facilities or the Federal Bureau of Prisons can attempt to communicate by dialing 2150#, according to the instructions included in the official EOIR list.

Family members can also write to immcenter@americanbar.org to request information about the status of a detained person.

This service provides assistance and guidance, but it does not imply that the ABA will automatically assign a lawyer to take on the case.

People who have relatives in immigration custody can also check what rights detained Cubans have by ICE and the actions their relatives can take.

How to apply for free legal assistance step by step

The first step is to consult the official list of free service providers from the Department of Justice.

The document is organized according to the relevant immigration court. For Florida, it includes the sections for Miami, Krome, Miami for juvenile proceedings, and Orlando.

Once a supplier is located, the interested party should contact them directly to explain their situation and inquire if they are accepting new cases.

It is advisable to have the foreign number or A-Number, the notifications received from immigration, the dates of hearings, and any documents related to the process available.

It is also advisable to explain from the first contact whether there is a deportation order, an upcoming hearing, or a detained person, as this information can determine the urgency of the assistance needed.

Before accepting the representation, the applicant must confirm whether the service will be completely free, what procedures are covered, and if there are any additional costs, such as government fees or documentation expenses.

If an organization cannot take on the case, it is advisable to ask if it can recommend another provider that offers free representation.

How to verify that an immigration lawyer is authorized

Not all individuals advertising immigration services are legally authorized to represent immigrants in the United States.

The Department of Justice maintains a recognition and accreditation program that allows verification of which organizations and representatives are authorized to provide certain immigration legal services.

Partially accredited representatives may act before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while fully accredited representatives can also represent individuals before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

It is important to distinguish between a recognized organization that offers immigration services and an authorized professional to represent a person before a judge.

You can also check the list of currently disciplined practitioners by the EOIR, updated on November 13, 2026, to verify if a representative has any restrictions that prevent them from practicing before immigration authorities.

Those interested should be wary of those who promise guaranteed results, claim to have special contacts within immigration, or ask for money in exchange for expediting processes.

A notary public, by the mere fact of being one, is not authorized to provide immigration legal advice in the United States.

How to know if there is a pending audience or decision

Individuals with a case file before an immigration judge can consult the Automated Case Information System (ACIS), using their alien number and the other requested information.

There is also an automated phone line from EOIR: 1-800-898-7180.

This system allows users to consult basic information about certain immigration procedures, although not all cases are reflected, and notifications issued directly by the court serve as the official reference.

Searching for a free lawyer does not automatically suspend a hearing or stop immigration deadlines. Therefore, those who already have a court date must pay attention to the dates and notifications received, even if they still have not secured representation.

The federal list of free services is updated quarterly, in January, April, July, and October. The next edition is scheduled for January 2027, so it is advisable to consult the official directory before contacting an organization to confirm their information and availability.